She was sitting at what looked like an ornate vanity. It was white and held small jewels in the whimsical crevices of flowers that were carved into it. The piece was stunning as was the woman staring into it. Her hair was black as night and straight as a ruler. A golden headpiece adorned the top of her hair and created a golden halo against her dark strands. Her eyes were darkened with kohl, allowing the blue to shine even brighter in the dimly lit room. She held no eyeshadow nor mascara but wore rouge on her cheeks and lips that created an innocent look to her sculpted face.
Anzu touched her face confused as to who this woman was. She gasped when the woman in the mirror also seemed to touch her face in a mimicking fashion.
This is me.
"My Queen we must hurry; the Pharaoh is waiting on you."
Anzu turned around in confusion as two chambermaids entered the massive room. They held a long silver gown in their hands and attempted to keep the shiny material away from the limestone floors. It was then she noticed she was only in a dark silk robe. The material felt cold and smooth against her skin.
"Where am I?" She asked the two women who now stood before her. They looked at her with confusion and then smiled.
"Ah our Queen has just awoken from her nap; she is feeling a little confused." The one with dark skin and golden eyes spoke first. She seemed maybe fifteen years old as she stood wearing a simple long tan tunic.
"Yes I agree to that; she is just tired." The second nodded wearing the same attire, her dark hair and dark eyes twinkling. She seemed younger than the girl standing next to her.
"Illa go retrieve water and some fruit for her majesty." The elder commanded of the younger. She quickly abided and was about to hurry off until Anzu cut in.
"No that will not be necessary." She spoke but her voice sounded so dignified, as though her body was aware of who she was but she was not.
She wasn't a queen, and yet she found this all too familiar.
They both looked at her with further confusion but decided if she was okay they were okay.
"We will now dress you." They both stated in unison.
Anzu felt she had no choice in the matter as Illa started taking off the silk robe. She stood naked before the elder one and couldn't stop the blood from rushing to her face. Thankfully the rouge already applied managed to mask the embarrassing flush.
Illa retrieved the silk dress and the elder gently placed it over Anzu's body. She could feel the cool smooth fabric being wrapped and tucked all around her and soon she was done. Before she could look at herself in the mirror, Illa had retrieved jewelry from a gold box and was placing bangles and rings all along Anzu's arms and fingers. After some time, she made a mischievous glance at Anzu and took out a single golden necklace that held a small charm. It was the simplest piece out of all she was wearing and she couldn't help but smile as the elder placed it on her neck. She loved it so and she had the urge to never take it off. She picked up her charm with her forefinger and thumb and saw it was the sun encompassing the moon. Small white stones that glinted from the back drop of candle light beamed back at her and she couldn't stop staring at the splendor of the small intricate designs etched into the charm. It was beautiful.
"A gift from the Pharaoh." Illa spoke with a grin.
Anzu looked at the little girl and smiled.
"Thank you Illa and-." She paused not knowing the others name.
"Samira." She stated before her and bowed.
"Samira." Anzu replied with a smile.
Quickly the girls added white slippers to Anzu's bare feet and went to the bathroom to retrieve some more oddities.
As they were gone Anzu decided to peek at herself in the mirror.
She was stunned at the woman that stared back at her. How could she possibly be her?
The women in the mirror looked like a jewel herself, adorned in her fine silk dress. The straps were loose at her shoulders and fell down in cascading waves against her arms. The dress itself was tight around her waist and loose beyond. It flowed and swished like a waterfall every time she moved and Anzu couldn't help but twirl.
She could hear laughter coming from the other side of the room and saw Illa and Samira watching her with gleeful eyes.
"You look beautiful my Queen." Samira spoke.
Illa nodded and they walked forward to Anzu holding what looked like a round glass bottle that held a tube coming out the top and a round atomizer attached to it that looked to be made of cloth. Illa spritzed her arms and around her waist and needed Anzu to bend down in order to spritz her neck. The perfume itself smelled lovely, a scent of lavender and rose and the sands of Egypt.
"You are now ready my Queen. The Pharaoh awaits." Samira stated motioning Illa to stand next to her and Anzu to follow her. Illa placed the small perfume bottle on the vanity and stood next to Samira. They waited for Anzu to come to them before making their way toward the enormous wooden doors at the end of the long room. She wanted to look around and explore more of this unknown place but now was not the time.
Soon they had exited what she presumed to be her room and saw the back of the Pharaoh.
Atem stood tall in his royal grabs. She could see the ornate headpiece of the eye of Anubis adorning his head and pushing his wild hair back. The red and purple seemed to glow under the torches that lit the hall. His purple cape was pulled back away from him and she heard the near silent whoosh as he turned around.
She noted his eyes had widened as he took in her appearance. She could feel the heat travel to her cheeks once more and couldn't help but look down. She could hear the giggle of Illa and Samira next to her.
"You look beautiful." He spoke as he made his way toward her.
Anzu stood still not sure what to do with herself as she continued to avoid his gaze. She could almost feel the smirk accenting his face as the distance between them closed.
"Look at me." He stated. His voice was commanding once more but soft.
She looked up and met his penetrating gaze. His eyes were harsh but she could see the gentleness behind the heavy exterior. His gaze lowered to her chest and he caught the sparkle of the necklace of his choosing. He reached out and touched her neckline before reaching the necklace and grazing it with his forefinger. He smirked as he noticed the raised skin left after his trace.
Immediately he placed an arm out to a breathless Anzu. Even from the innocence of his touch could he make her feel things she never would with another. As they walked she noted the heavy jewelry that adorned his own body and even noticed his left ear held a single golden hoop.
Atem held onto her tight as they neared an unknown door. She could see the smirk start to turn into a cold hard line as he approached its entrance. He stopped for a moment before looking at her then opening the large twin entries. Bright light filled Anzu's vision until there was nothing. In a flash she was stripped from Atem and now saw herself in a dark room. Shadows followed her everywhere and were mocking her. She thought she heard laughter in the distance but turned to see nothing there.
Do not leave me!
She thought she heard Atem shouting but his absence around her proved it not to be true. She started to feel cold and suffocated as an unknown figure started to make its way toward her. She backed away unsure of what to do and unable to scream. This was it.
Anzu woke in a cold sweat. What was supposed to be a blissful night had turned into a nightmare. She turned to see Seto still asleep, his arms woven around her soggy body.
She needed air.
She immediately dug herself out of Seto's strong grip and made her way out to her living room and toward her balcony. Immediately the cool night air nipped at her exposed skin and her arms unconsciously flew to chest. She sat on one of the metal chairs and allowed her eyes to drift from random buildings that adorned the city of Domino until she settled on the inky night sky. Even though the city lights shined mercilessly, the stars still managed to escape their probing path. Anzu watched the millions of twinkling lights adorning the cosmos and she couldn't help but feel small. She hadn't a clue what lye out there and she knew she had to believe everything that was happening with Atem had to be real. She wasn't going insane, Seto would know if she was. But there was something happening, something she wasn't sure she wanted to come to terms with. In the end she knew it wasn't entirely her decision and she would have to face whatever that came her way. It was then she decided she would tell Seto and possibly Yugi what was happening, of the many encounters with the Pharaoh and the strange dreams she was having. She knew Seto would think of every explanation but the truth but she also knew in the end he would believe her.