The beginning of the Mirror vision was much like the others. One saw clearly for the first time the events of his or her early life and how it had changed the course of the future, great or little. Atem saw his time in Egypt briefly…after all he had seen it when he had first entered the King's realm just before being sent back to his Puzzle to await the arrival of Solomon Muto.
Then the real vision began.
His time with Yugi had been tumultuous and dangerous. It had pushed the confident Pharaoh to the breaking point many a time. He had been a kind ruler, certainly no tyrant, but those raised in his circumstances only experience a certain amount of anguish. His time as a normal human with Yugi uncovered parts of his character he would have preferred not to encounter. He winced at that second duel with Kaiba during Duelist Kingdom. He saw himself push Yugi's will out of the way so as to finish the duel…and Yugi stopping him just in time before he destroyed his soul with blood on his hands. But even that was not as painful as what he would see next.
The proud, venegeful Pharaoh, absent of Yugi's spirit (thanks to his use of Orichalcos) dueling Weevil. He had almost forgotten about this duel. And now the full force of his cruelty struck him. He saw him attacking again and again though there was nothing left to attack, though the body he struck was soulless and lifeless. And then he saw her: Hands trembling with tears in her blue eyes, lunging herself at him. In the mirror he saw the first time what he had been too enraged to notice that day.
She was afraid of him. Terrified. Worse, she was…appalled. She had never thought the noble spirit was capable of what he had just done.
How had he not realized before?
It would have been better if she had remained that way. He deserved to be despised. But she did not.
After stopping him he saw, and felt, something else. Mercy. Compassion. After her shock, she empathized and understood. She…
She loved him.
Then his eyes were opened. He of course knew she had confessed her love… but now all doubts were swept away. He saw again, as if in rewind, all his memories with her and her love for him. She loved Yugi too, as she loved her other friends, but him she adored and trusted. Her love would have made her a fool to some people and yet it crowned her as she had just been crowned moments ago by Him as a true Princess of Grace. The gorgeous tiara that now rested on her brow like a star seemed dim in comparison to the lovelight in her eyes and the determination in her soul as she watched him act with such careless pride and terrifying hatred. It was a redeemer's light.
He did not deserve any of it. He felt himself crumpling. He saw the rest of his life to the final duel with Yugi but the revelation of love had cowed the proud soul completely. He found himself out of the mirror, on his knees with tears in his heart that would not make their way to his eyes.
Atem sensed He was approaching…and remained in that position. Too ashamed to even life his face a little. How could Yugi, pure crystal heart that he was, have been ashamed of anything? This was real shame. To have been so cruel, so heartless…so blind and to yet still have the love of one who was beautiful in all the ways that mattered? He wished he could crawl out of his skin like a snake…he was a snake!
"Atem," the Voice called gently.
"My Lord, please do not ask me to look at you," Atem begged, "I am so weighted by what I have done…what I have allowed myself to do, especially with the vessel of one who was so kind and –,"
"Rise, Atem," the Voice was firm now.
He knew he did not have the right to refuse. He rose slowly, but kept his eyes firmly fixed downwards.
"Look at me."
Again, he knew he would not be forced to do this, but he had no right to refuse this. He locked his gaze with Him.
"Tea," here He motioned the princess forward.
She approached and stood beside Atem.
"My daughter, you still love him, do you not?"
"I do."
He placed Atem's hands in Tea's and then spoke again, "Atem, her love for you – My love for you through her – has saved you. You need not be ashamed of what is past. You have repented and you know you have wronged. I forgive you full willing. Be at peace now with your former life and cast off the burden of it. Grace has paid the price that Justice demands."
The Mirror now reflected the final coronation. Yugi's crown had been the silver circlet. Joey's was the ring of golden leaves dotted with rubies. Tristan wore a crown of onyx. Tea's was a starburst diamond set on her forehead with a filet of silver holding it there. Now Atem's appeared, golden leaves overlapping together and then on the very back, an identical yet smaller copy of Tea's starburst, a reminder of what gave him the right to be called prince. The tears came now. Pain and gladness all at once.
"Atem, Prince of Justice."
The light was so beautiful.
Atem noticed Tea's hand had made its way into his as they listened to his Mirror Trial. Yugi patted Atem's arm gently before saying,
"You're afraid of facing it again, aren't you?"
Atem nodded. "But I am more afraid of it's being used on other people. It is difficult enough under the direction of a merciful King with the Princess of Grace in attendance…as she always is now with all the Mirror Trials. But to be done by beings who are obviously not doing it for any good purpose…it could destroy souls…"
"We won't let that happen," the princess herself said with that same determination that Atem admired so much. "And give yourself some credit, Atem. You also are now at the Mirror Trials and you help as much as I do."
"You're always so quick to point that out," he said smiling, " But I'm also worried about you, Tea. The King said this journey would be hardest for you…"
"I know," she replied, "but I can't let fear of that stop me from doing what I must do…," she trailed off as a voice, deep and solemn entered their minds and spoke.
"Sleep now, dear ones. I have faith in your ability to do what is right when the time comes. For now sleep and recover strength for you are all to be tested as never before."
Rest immediately filled their limbs and a quiet settled over the three comrades.
