It's Not A Game Anymore - Ch 1
Yugi removed the keys from the lock, sighing as he began his walk home from the game shop. It had been two years since his grandfather died and Yugi had diligently kept the shop open and alive with customers. It was one of many things he had inherited. He faithfully stayed by his grandfather's side while he died about two years ago from old age. His grandfather's last few days were spent laughing and reminiscing about all his amazing trips across the world and all the things he had learned and discovered while doing so.
Yugi was now 34, living on his own, acting as a full owner of Kame Game. He had ended up selling the original shop and opening up in a new and more public location. He immediately was making more money making it possible to hire a few local high school kids to work afternoons. He ran the shop himself in the mornings and acted as manager once the teens came in to work.
In his spare time at the shop he would be researching the latest games or consoles to put up on the shelves. Seto Kaiba and himself had become closer over the years and Kaiba Corp was now a direct distributor for Kame Game. When Kaiba Corp would come out with a new product Yugi was one of the first to receive a shipment.
Yugi put his keys to the shop into the outer pocket of his computer bag and began the walk home. The evening was cool with a light breeze and a beautiful sunset. He trudged along the sidewalks which were clear other than the few kids riding bikes or other people walking home.
When he gets home to his modest two bedroom house just a few blocks away from the shop, he walks up the driveway, past his small bushels of flowers and shrubs lining the walkway, to his front door. He puts the key into the lock, opening the door and stepping inside. The interior is a pristine white with light brown and gold accents and decor.
The floor plan consisted of an entry way with a staircase leading upstairs in front of it, around the back of the stairs was another staircase leading to the basement. From the entryway was an open walkway into the living room set with a couch, tv, and small fireplace. Beyond the living room was a good sized kitchen with an island doubling as a table and a set of double doors leading out to a small backyard and patio Yugi had turned into a small garden. A hall off the kitchen leading to a half bathroom.
On the upstairs floor was a master bedroom with a double sided walk in closet leading into a huge white tiled bathroom. Across the hall from the master was a small guest bedroom Yugi used as an office with a desk set up on one corner and a queen bed set up for guests if he ever had them. The guest room also had an on suite bathroom that was much smaller than the master but with the same white tile.
Finally the basement was decently sized. On one end was a large couch with a tv and some gaming consoles set up. He also had a small kitchen/bar set up on one wall. On the other end of the basement was where he had some of his bigger gaming rigs. He had gone through a few by now and ended up donating them or selling them but for the moment he had a new machine from Kaiba Corp that was delivered this morning. It was still a prototype but Kaiba had assured him it was fully safe, he just needed an opinion on how real it felt in game.
The idea was a virtual reality system that was much more immersive. Insanely high graphics, fully wired to your brain via a small connection to your forehead to fully eliminate the need for controllers. You could go anywhere in the world or create a world of your own that you could download to a gallery and let others explore as well as explore others creations. You could find games others had made or make your very own to share as well as so so much more.
Kaiba's goal was to make impossible trips like Disneyland possible with only the purchase of this machine, or like dining in roam to be a fully real experience you get to try from someone else's memories. He wanted to make the impossible possible with this creation and give people the chance to explore.
Yugi was fascinated with the idea when Seto had asked him into a meeting to share the idea and get Yugi's opinions on it. Yugi had agreed in that meeting to try it out with the condition he uploaded an experience or game of his own to start the stockpile for the company database so there would be things for people who buy it to access right away upon purchase.
Seto knew it would be expensive but in comparison to all the experiences you could have with it all put together you'd save millions. It was set to be priced at 605,360.00 Yen. Even Yugi agreed that if the right people played it, others could get a major bang for their buck.
Yugi set his bag down under the end table by the door and made his way upstairs. He strips out of his leather accessories, leather pants, and black tank top before sliding on a pair of black sweats and a clean black tank top. He heads down to the kitchen to make a quick sandwich and eats it while checking through his notifications. He then heads to the basement to fire up the machine.
It's it boots up he opens it, it looks a lot like a fabric lined tanning bed with head support and all. He sticks the cable to head head with the proper hook up and tests the connection. He thinks of something while looking at the external monitor and sees the picture he imagines is coming through clearly. So he climbs inside and shuts the capsule.
He hardly notices the difference at first thinking he hadn't gone under but he does what Kaiba told him to do to check if he was in. He bites his tongue and when the feeling but no pain happens he knows he's accomplished his goal.
He decides to try a personal gallery addition first to get the feel of it. He imagines himself standing in the game shop with his grandpa. The warmth from the front windows, the smell of cardboard and plastic wrap, the sound of his tiles under his shoes.
He opens his eyes, he's shocked but he's there. He steps forward in awe, hand splaying across the cool counter complete with register and large glass case filled with cards. He imagines his grandfather sitting at the counter. "Welcome home Yugi, how was school?" Yugi shakes the image away, blinking furiously at the tears bow pooling in his eyes. It had been a long time since he thought about his grandpa and how much he truly missed him.
His grandpa had taught him about the heart of the cards and what that meant. He taught Yugi to follow his own heart and live his life to the fullest, filled with kind friends and strong memories to last him a lifetime. He took a moment to compose himself.
Once he's gathered himself he starts up his next thought, one that Yugi had been planning since Kaiba first told him about the feature. He conjures up Atem in his mind's eye, same hair as his own but with a more crimson tone. Deep glittering crimson eyes and tanned caramel skin to match. He conjured up what he could remember of the Pharaohs garb including white cloth as a base, accents of blue and gold. Lots of glittering gold bracelets and earrings, and Yugi's personal favorite, the gold headpiece with the eye of Ra etched into the front.
Egypt
The man standing in front of him, with a massive mirage of sand and pyramids behind him, was a sight to behold. Atem truly looked just like egyption royalty standing in front of him with his classic strong but kind smile. The wind kicking up sand mixed with the dry desert sun burned his face. Atem stepped forward as if to size Yugi up. Although Yugi had grown he was still a few inches shorter than the Pharaoh.
Yugi hurriedly got down onto one knee and bowed. A deep bellowing laugh came from the kind face of the man above him. "Get up off the ground little one, you are my equal, my other half, my light."
Yugi looked up and blinked in bewilderment. He had never heard Atem be so formal, this couldn't be a conjuring of his mind but of his heart. Yugi had fallen for Atem in their time together but ultimately decided against revealing his feelings so that Atem could choose where he was happiest. And he did the day that Atem and himself dueled and Yugi defeated him. Yugi proved he was strong enough to stand on his own and therefore Atem was allowed to travel back to his people in his time. Although he never regretted his choice it was a lot of heartbreak for a while after thinking abiut how badly he wished to still be fighting alongside one of his very best friends.
Yugi stood up and nodded to Atem who in turn pulled Yugi into a strong hug. Yugi's eyes watered at the feeling of being in Atems firm but gentle grasp, finally able to feel the man against him after those very brief touches oh so long ago.
Once released from the hug he glances around. He had never seen where Atem was from but once Atem gained his memories they still resided in the part of his mind Atem had occupied. This technology gave him the power to access the hidden vault that was Atems thoughts and memories since Atem was no longer with him to do so.
Atems eyes sparkle in the sun, Yugi can't seem to take his eyes off them. Yugi can tell immediately his own desire is playing into this scene when Atem's sun kissed hand grasps his own pale one and pulls him into the entrance to a pyramid. What lies inside looks more like a palace. Off white stone and gold accents as far as the eye can see, ornate rugs decorate the floor with flourishes of blues, reds and greens.
Atem pulls him past a few people busying themselves with different tasks. One woman carrying a basket of bread from one room to another, a man with a bucket of water in each hand bustling off outside the pyramid, another woman in a room off to the side sewing what appeared to be a beautiful red shawl with gold accents. Atem pulls him along and up a set of stairs to a throne.
Atem sits in the throne and snaps his fingers, immediately three servants arrive at the base of the stairs eagerly waiting for orders. "His clothes will not do, fetch him something nice and much cooler to wear!"
Yugi watches the three of them run off and looks down to his clothes. Barefooted and still in sweats and a tank top. Although he can't feel the heat unless he thinks about it he decides a change might set the scene a little better.
Just as he starts to ponder what he actually wants from the scene set up the group of people come hurrying back and begin to strip him out of his clothes right there, front and center, in the middle of what Yugi assumes is the throne room. His cheeks burn with embarrassment as he looks up to see an unphased Atem watching as his servants help him into a similar white garb with a simple set of gold wrist and ankle cuffs instead of lavish jewelry like Atem.
Atem shoos them away, eyes still glued to Yugi. "How did you manage to find me, my light?"
Yugi blinks, trying to get his bearings. He goes on to explain the technology Kaiba Corp has created and thats how he's here right now. Yugi can't seem to understand why Atem seemingly responds on his own accord but rolls with it. Atem nods, taking it in and thinking about everything Yugi tells him carefully.
Atem nods and lifts his eyes to meet Yugi's amethyst. "So you don't think you're actually here?" Yugi thinks for a second then shakes his head. According to Kaiba the extent was being able to explore whatever you or another person's mind can conjure and nothing more.
Atem grins widely, standing from his throne he takes Yugi's hand and leads him farther back. Up some stairs and far back down a long hallway he leads Yugi into a room decorated so well Yugi assumes it must be Atems. A large window overlooking the huge endless desert, many people down below scurrying about to carry out tasks. Inside there are long white curtains adorned with gold trim as well as gold rings holding them open, the room is much cooler than the throne room,Yugi assumes it's because of the open window letting in a breeze. In the center of the room is a large bed with matching white and gold trim bedding. The rest of the room contains a brown wooden desk against one wall, a matching wooden wardrobe off in one corner, and a large settee off in another.
Atem trails Yugi further into the room and sits on the edge of the bed, when Atem motions him to, Yugi also sits. "What can I do to prove I'm real and I'm here now with you, just like you are with me."
Yugi is taken aback. His mind must be playing dirty tricks on him to paint a mirage this realistic and so close to his heart. Yugi shakes his head but Atem grips his shoulders obviously not taking no for an answer. "See there really isn't a way to prove it, because anything my mind can conjure can happen."
Atem gives a lopsided grin. "Then why aren't you in control of the narrative Yugi. Think about when you first came here. I didn't look like this? You couldn't have imagined this level of Egyptian detail." Yugi takes in his appearance, he in fact does look far more detailed than Yugi remembers. But that could be drawn up to him accessing Atem's memories from his subconscious.
Atem frowns. "You still aren't in control, Yugi. You aren't making me say these things. I'm saying this, not you. Believe me. I can prove it by doing something you want so desperately but you won't do because that's the kind of person you are."
Before Yugi can question him, Atem has Yugi pinned to the bed under him. Atem is now straddling Yugi's hips, looking deeply into his gaze. "This is me. I'm here." Atem presses his lips to Yugis in a searing kiss. Yugi groans. His mind is cruel, and he has to make this stop. He can't use Atem like this, not this way. But when he tries to fight back, strong hands pin his wrists to either side of his head.
Fire courses through Yugi's veins and heat pools in his stomach. The place where Atem's lips meet his own feels like it's on fire. He moans when Atem's tongue is swiping at his bottom lip as a silent plea for entry. He can't help but open his mouth and moan when Atem's tongue finds his own. Heat licks up his neck, his belly, and in his groin. Atems tongue rolls over his sweeps back across again for emphasis. Yugi moans desperately aware of how helpless he is to stop this, how painfully hard he is under Atem, who is still perched above him.
He curses internally again at his lack of self control. Being single isn't that hard until you are alone with your long lost love in your mind and able to do anything your subconscious desires. Maybe this was his body's way of telling him that he wasn't getting off enough.
Atem breaks the kiss and chuckles darkly in Yugi's ear and moves down to his neck. "You taste even better than I thought you would, my light." Atem closes his mouth around Yugi's neck, sucking hard at his pulse point.
Yugi moans loudly. The heat in his stomach bubbling angrily as his hormones rage. The urge to buck upwards is testing every last bit of control he has. Yugi tries to get his mind under control by fighting Atem's hands, still wrapped around his wrists, off. Atem stops, releasing Yugi immediately. "Did I do something wrong, my light?" Atem looks absolutely crestfallen.
Yugi shakes his head furiously. "No. I did. I'm out of control and wasn't ready to be here. I have to go." With that Yugi presses the spot between his thumb and forefinger.
Japan
Soon enough he's groggily opening his eyes to the black interior of the pod. He's peeling the sticker off of his forehead and opening the pod to climb out within seconds. He sits on the edge of the pod regaining his breath.
Once catching his breath he opens his eyes and sees he is still hard as rock through his sweats. He groans and takes the stairs two at a time till he's upstairs in his bathroom. He opens the linen closet and pulls out a towel. He closes the door and sets the towel on the counter. He reaches inside the shower to start heating the water up. He sets his hands on the counter to wait for the water and looks up into the mirror.
His disheveled appearance only adds to the justification of how he feels inside. He's trying to brush out his hair when he spots something. His face turns sheet-white with an added look of horror. There, on his neck just where it meets his shoulder, is a freshly given hickey.