Return to the Old Ways

by kayono

The Pharaoh and King have returned, but the Fates and Destiny have yet to let them out of their grasp. There's more in the darkness than is known, but 'life isn't interesting unless there's a chance of dying.'

12. Khemet

Title: Return to the Old Ways

Chapter 10: Khemet

Warnings: Same old, same old. I was writting this as I was re-reading some of my old World Religion notes (most of which were taught by a media arts teacher, so that should tell you something about their quality and accuracy...), so some things may or may not be acurate to ANY extent. Either way, blame the people who were teaching, not the ones taking the notes.

Disclaimer: I am now the proud owner (after two damn hours of travel) of two 9-volt motors, two gear boxes, two axles, and one wheel and caster. As this is the extent of my recent purchases (which cost me a grand total of $37.50 at Active Surplus on Queen Street), does it HONESTLY look like I'm in any position to... I don't know, OWN any of this?

---

Somehow he hadn't broken his neck. Or his back. Or limbs. Or any part of his body. In fact- it felt suspiciously like he was on a bed. A nice, warm, fluffy, bed. He felt a light breeze tease the loose leggings and tunic he still wore (how he knew that he didn't know), and he could feel Atemu safely back within his mind and heart.

Of course, although he wasn't hurt- he felt like he had been run over by a dump truck. Repeatedly.

Reaching up to grab his head, he winced and groaned as he tried to sit up- only to be immediately pushed down again.

"Rest, little king."

He didn't bother paying attention to the words- rest sounded like a fairly good idea still. Maybe after he woke up he would feel like he had only been fit by a car. That would be nice….

…

He woke up again, indeed feeling like he had only been hit by a car- and, thankfully, only once. His eyes were blurry as he tried to look around. The room- or wherever he was- was dark, the outlines of shapes barely visible.

He groaned again, and the same person who had been by his side before laid their hand on his forehead.

"Good… can you speak?"

The tongue startled Yugi, and his eyes blinked furiously to try themselves of the sleepy haze.

"Where am I?"

"Can you understand me?"

He wanted to say yes, wanted to tell this person- this woman, he realized with a start- that everything was fine, he just needed to sit up-

((I believe, aibou, that something is wrong.))

Yugi couldn't help his snort. (You think?)

He felt Atemu materialize beside him, easily heard the woman's surprised gasp- and then her quick silence, as though in awe. ((Aibou, why is she bowing to me?))

(…she's bowing to you?)

((She looks like Isis.))

And then both of them had the sudden, startling clarity and self-depreciation that came when you realize something that was right in front of you the whole time.

"Aishizu…" Atemu murmured, reaching out to grab onto Yugi's hand, to make sure his light was still there.

"You told us we would never see you again, my King!"

Another realization: this woman was alive. Aishizu, High Priest of the Great Pharaoh's Court and Holder of the Sennen Tauk-

Was alive.

Even though she should have died 5000 years ago.

((I think I'm beginning to understand what happened, aibou.)) And although there was a teasing, light note to his voice, it was tainted with reprimand and accusation.

Yugi felt himself instinctively quail against his yami's emotions, but quickly reinforced his own ignorance of the situation. For a further show of defiance, he pulled his hand away from the Pharaoh's, using it to help push himself up. He felt two pairs of hands helping him accomplish his task, and then his yami's helped to swing his legs over the side and stand on them.

"They- your legs shall be weak, but if you walk around…." Yugi blinked and looked upon Aishizu face-to-face for the first time. She looked awkward, as though she didn't know what to say or how to talk to him.

Atemu solved that by wrapping his arms possessively around Yugi, burying his face into the light's hair. "Re, I was so worried. Two weeks you've been unconscious, aibou, and I couldn't leave you because I was so worried….."

Yugi felt a blush appear on his face, but he was grateful for the support that Atemu's body provided for him. He leaned back appreciatively into the touch, and smiled at Aishizu. "It is wonderful to finally meet you, Priestess."

"I am honored by your visit, my King- no, Kings," and she smiled gently at the both of them. As a normally confident woman, it was obvious that she didn't know how to act as a shy person, and Yugi wanted to rectify that. Unfortunately, he didn't get that chance as his stomach began to rumble, causing Aishizu to look at him oddly and his darkness to chuckle.

Atemu nodded to the Priestess. "Could you bring us some food, Aishizu?"

She was startled but smiled again, her eyes lighting up at doing a duty for the proper king. "Of course, my Pharaoh."

She walked out of the room through a small doorway that was really nothing more than a large, heavy piece of cloth hung over the opening. As the black material fell back into place, Yugi felt Atemu walking him over to a small window in the corner. With his position trapped in Atemu's arms and his back to the Pharaoh, there wasn't much he could do to stop, even if he wanted.

"I want you to see my- our- old home, the way it once was."

And Yugi felt his breath leave his lungs, stunned by the view presented. Admittedly, he knew the aerial view from the Memory World RPG, but seeing it, really in person and it being actually real and not merely a part of an illusion created from memory….

"Welcome, aibou, to Khemet- just before History."

Yugi turned his head back to Atemu and smiled warmly, sighing happily. "It's gorgeous."

Atemu nuzzled his neck, eyes trained on the distant wall that was being built that- they knew from history (or the lack thereof) would be torn down within one hundred years. "Much better than what Menes will have it, hm?"

Yugi chuckled. "Much better. But-"

"How did we get here?" Atemu finished, smirking down at Yugi. "Actually, I should be asking you that."

Yugi blinked up at him. "What? How would I- what?"

Atemu had held up a finger until Yugi stopped, then gently touched and held up the replica puzzle that hung around his neck. "This is my copy. It carries only the basic powers- enhancing already existing abilities, calling the Shadow Realm, summoning- basics, but powerful basics." He then reached down, across Yugi's front to the real Sennen Puzzle and grasped it with both hands, holding it up to Yugi's eye level.

"And this, aibou, is the real puzzle. Its powers are- supposedly- infinite- as we both know. What we also know is that very few of its abilities have been revealed. I believe that time travel, back to when we should have been alive and ruling especially, is another such power."

Yugi gaped up at him. "But- it was around my neck… right?"

"Who said that I was the one who used it?"

Yugi turned around completely, forcing Atemu to break his hold. "But I- I never- that would require a strong will, or outside influence, or- or- I couldn't have brought us five thousand years into the past!"

Atemu shrugged. "Look at it this way. As long as we're here, we could see who built Stonehenge?"

Yugi glared at the dark spirit for trying to bribe him (especially with one of his greater curiosities), but Aishizu walked back into the room again- followed closely by Seth, in all his now-Pharaoh glory.

Seeing exactly who was in the room (apparently, Aishizu hadn't told him much), he hurriedly bowed to the two misplaced (or mistimed, as it were) beings. "My King-"

Atemu rolled his eyes, cutting Seth off with one hand while the other wrapped around Yugi's waist and drew him protectively into his embrace. "Enough, Seth. You are Pharaoh now- don't start with all this 'My King' crap."

Everyone looked at him surprised, but Atemu was already pushing Yugi down onto the bed and grabbing the food from Aishizu's hands with a quick 'thank you'.

Yugi sighed, allowing himself to be fed as Atemu continued his 'conversation'.

"So, how is everything here, Seth?"

The new Pharaoh sputtered for a moment at the sight that the two on the bed presented, but he reluctantly accepted this… odd development and Called a chair from the other room to sit on. "The Great Wall is being built all around Khemet to keep out the rouges and bandits, there hasn't been a famine yet, food is being dispensed to those who need it, the healers are being kept busy by all the injuries sustained during building, the trading contacts with the land to the east are going fine…."

Yugi noticed something that he felt should be addressed- and quickly. As Seth continued to rant, he allowed Atemu to feed him a particularly large amount of whatever it was he was eating, the quickly spooned some into Atemu's mouth as well.

(I thought that, when you sealed yourself away, you erased everyone's memory about what happened. But it seems like Seth and Aishizu remember you… what is going on?)

Atemu replied with a mental shrug as he swallowed the food, grabbed the spoon back and began feeding Yugi again, listening to Seth's droning with half an ear. ((I suspect I will have to find out, won't I?))

"…and everyone is more than happy with their allotted estates." Seth finished, looking at the two oddly. "If I might ask-"

"Of course," Atemu, ever gracious, replied while pinching Yugi's side to get him to open his mouth for more food.

Seth raised an eyebrow, face growing more serious. (I didn't think that was possible.) Apparently, neither did Atemu for the slight smirk on his face.

Seth finally worded his question to his liking, watching as, the bowl now empty, Yugi leaned his head against Atemu's shoulder, sighing pleasurably. "I am curious about your new… companion, Pharaoh."

Atemu's arms snaked around Yugi's waist, breathing in the scent of roses and strawberries that perpetually surrounded the light. He carefully ignored the comment about 'companion', as that had a definitely different meaning in this time than the 'present'. "Seth, this is Yugi- my light and heart. Yugi, this is Seth, my one-time High Priest and the new Pharaoh."

Yugi leaned away to bow to Seth, somewhat awkwardly from his sitting position. "It is a great honor to meet you, King Seth."

Seth imitated Atemu's earlier motions, cutting the air in front of him with his hand. "If you are the companion of the Great Pharaoh, then there is no need to call me 'King' Seth."

Yugi smiled pleasantly at him. "If you insist then, Seth. I have heard much about Khemet, and always wanted to see it the way it was meant to be."

Seth shot him a look at the odd wording but left it as Atemu addressed him again. "Seth, I have a question to ask you- and don't look at me strangely, or I swear to Re that I'll have to knock you out."

Seth shrugged, preparing himself for an odd question. "Of course, Pharaoh. What is it?"

"Why do you remember me?"

Yugi winced and Seth reeled back. (Nice, Yami. Get straight to the point.)

((Of course. I don't want to spend too much time on this topic- or here. We need to get back to our time, and soon.))

Gathering his bearings, Seth looked between the two of them, weighing his words. "I… I did not at first. But I wished to know why I had to destroy evidence of magic, and Aishizu wondered why we had to burry and erase evidence of those golden Items-"

"The Sennen Items." Yugi automatically correct, Atemu smirking down at him for interrupting.

"If we're being technical, then the Thousand Year Items." He corrected his light, then nodded to Seth to continue, who sat watching the exchange with some chagrin but- for the most part- humor.

"And there were many people asking questions. So Aishizu and I did some searching and hiding of artifacts, and we- we eventually discovered what really happened. No one else except Mana knows- and, although we don't have the memories back, we know at least what we should know had you not done- not erased our memories."

Atemu nodded with satisfaction. "Then you are a good King, Seth. The only thing I ask is that memory of me- and this visit, especially Yugi's presence- die with you, Aishizu and Mana. It is of crucial importance, Seth."

He looked doubtful, but nodded. "I just wished I had never forgotten Kisara."

Yugi smiled at him, holding his hand. "You never really did, Seth. You remember her now, even if it is not truly memories. You will remember her in the future, even if it is not obvious why. You can never really forget someone you love."

Both Seth and Atemu looked at him in surprise, and then Seth lowered his eyes to the ground, not afraid or ashamed. Somehow, in some way, he understood that Yugi was not all that he seemed. "Is it that obvious?"

Yugi squeezed his hand gently, Atemu reaching out to lay one of his hands on Seth's shoulders. "No. It was almost impossible for me to see, but- one day, everything you have lost will be regained. And she will wait for you forever."

Seth looked up again, nodding with a very, very faint smile on his face. "Thank you, Yugi."

Aishizu walked back in then, nodding to Seth and Atemu as she approached Yugi specifically. "As a welcome to our land, we offer you this." She held out a small box which Yugi took, experimentally weighing it with his hands.

"Open it, Yugi." Seth told him, unable to keep a small smirk off his face.

Yugi opened it, looking at the contents. A huge smile lit up his face as he saw the two golden ringlets inside- and earrings, necklaces, arm bands, shin bands, rings, bracelets, pendants, chains….

Atemu, Seth and Aishizu shared a look at the honest joy on Yugi's face as he carefully lifted each present out of the box. "These are- they're… sugoi…." He breathed, unconsciously leaning against Atemu to be sure that it wasn't a dream.

Atemu chuckled, wrapping his arms around Yugi's waist again. "You like them, aibou?"

Yugi nodded, already poking two earrings through his ears and placing two rings on his fingers. "They're beautiful. Thank you so very much Seth, Aishizu." He smiled up at them, easily topping 100-watts.

A warm, gently hugging sensation spread through the two Ancient Egyptians and they smiled back, nodding to him. "You are welcome, Yugi."

Atemu watched with interest and amusement as Yugi modeled the jewelry for them. But there was still something niggling the back of his mind, and it just wouldn't leave him alone.

Finally, a streak of pure red shot through the small gap of window, and Seth and Aishizu stood, bowing, and left.

Yugi looked up at Atemu with an unspoken question in his eyes. Atemu led him to the window again, careful to keep supporting him as his legs wouldn't completely. "See the temples? The Pharaoh and all the Priests have to go for evening prayers. Actually, Seth and Aishizu probably missed dinner because of us."

Yugi looked down at the box in his hands. "It's odd."

Atemu needed no hint as to what Yugi was talking about, but he urged his light to continue anyways.

"I mean- just being here is odd by itself, you know? Five thousand years before I was even born…. It just… feels weird. And then, if you start talking about past lives and sealing souls, then we should be a single person, and we should be alive here and reigning, and making sure that everything is alright and no one is getting killed because of the Shadows, and probably getting married and having a ton of children and then giving the throne to them, and- and then we die, and travel to Tuat. That just seems so simple, compared to what really- what is- what has- urg, you know what I'm trying to say?"

Atemu nodded with a small smirk. Yugi always acted rather interesting when his vocabulary failed him.

The light continued, missing his darkness' amusement completely. "But to get here would have required a fairly powerful will, and the Sennen puzzle, but I didn't use-"

And that was what had been bugging Atemu, so he grasped Yugi's hands and walked into the larger chamber just beyond their own, smaller one. Apparently, this was the infirmary, but whoever worked here normally was at prayers, so only the patients remained- and most of them were asleep.

The few the weren't shot them odd looks, but for the most part ignored them and went back to trying to sleep. Yugi was grateful that he and Atemu had taken up wearing the baggy pants and tunics. He could only imagine what these people would have thought it they had walked in, decked out in leather.

The reached one of the larger windows that looked out on the entire North side of Khemet, and Atemu pointed to a small rise in the distance.

Yugi frowned at it, but couldn't understand the importance. "What is it?"

Atemu shot him an annoyed look. "Don't you recognize it? That's the mound where we said we were going to extend the dragon rider's Weyr to!"

Yugi's eyes widened and he turned back quickly, recognizing- even from this distance- the tell-tale craggy shape that formed an almost perfect semi-circle and the sandy slopes around the back side that were invisible from their vantage point. It was a bit more rough than what Yugi remembered, but another five thousand years of wear and tear would do that to a piece of rock.

"You mean we're- we're building right on top of here?" Yugi asked, his voice barely a whisper.

Atemu nodded emphatically. "That's probably what happened. Something around here recognized us and brought us here for some reason!"

Yugi just shook his head. "It can't- it can't have, though. I mean, we're- how far above where the ground is, and we fell into a pit, not- and there are no ruins!" He exclaimed, rubbing at the bridge of his nose with his hand. "And this really doesn't help for headaches," he commented, causing Atemu to laugh.

"No, aibou, it doesn't. But- think about it, hikari. There's supposed to be a Nile tributary spring under here. My ancestors probably didn't know that, so they just built the palace and city wherever they fancied. Perhaps the spring wore away the supporting bedrock, and the weight here was too great…."

Yugi stared at him, then sighed and looked out the window again. "It's a possibility, and that's all that I'm saying." He pouted as he felt the surge of emotions through the link. "Cheater."

Atemu smiled, wrapping Yugi in a hug. "So, do we want to keep building where we have been?"

Yugi shrugged. "It doesn't matter. We probably should, and just go around this place."

Atemu nodded, nuzzling Yugi's neck again and enjoying- immensely- being back where he- where they- had grown up. Yet, they didn't belong there- not anymore. "The only question left to answer now is can you get us back?"

Yugi sighed, feeling worry and anxiety creep up on him. "You want to leave?"

"We would just be distractions. We need to leave, even though I don't want to. We don't belong here, aibou. Not any more."

Yugi nodded, placing his hands over Atemu's that were around his waist again. "I just don't know for sure if I could. I mean, Shifting place is easy enough, but time-"

They both paused as footsteps were heard in the hallways, heading their way. From Atemu's knowledge and memories, the infirmary was the only room at the end of a long hallway, separated from the rest of the palace in case of an epidemic. The only people heading back now would be the healer's apprentices, as they were not required for all the prayers. If the apprentices were to find them, an alarm would be sounded- and their plan of being erased from this history would be shot to hell.

Looking around, Yugi realized that his attempt at sending them forward five thousand years might be required sooner than later. The room they had been in had become re-camouflaged into the wall, as apparently that was what the material on the door was for. Finding no way out, Yugi began gathering energy from himself and Egypt itself as Atemu phased back into the puzzle, startling the last few patients that were awake.

Enough energy had been gathered to make the jump (Yugi hoped) when the doors burst open and a whole gang of apprentices marched into the room, stopping when they saw the oddly-dressed person standing by the window- with a golden Eye on his forehead and a golden puzzle around his neck.

Yugi smiled at them kindly, waving. "Tell the Pharaoh that Yugi and Atemu say good bye and thank you."

And then the Shadows swirled around, dissipating within seconds and leaving those left in the room gaping- before one of the apprentices ran screaming from the room, and another hurriedly wrote down the message.

---

Katie, Adrian and the others were almost relieved to see a cloud of dust rise from the Pit, as they were calling it. They had last seen Yugi aiming one more air burst at the well they had been digging, and then the ground had shaken, knocking everyone off their feet.

Next thing they knew, the entire area was covered with dust and sand, and they were forced to retreat to three large tents which were quickly staked nearly one kilometer away.

The next day the dust had settled and they had proceeded over to the gaping hole in the ground, careful not to stand too close to the edge. Looking into it, faint outlines of straight edges and shapes that resembled buildings were visible in the faint morning light.

And, to everyone's surprise, the walls that led down into the Pit were completely smooth, with the exception of engravings around the top, about eight feet down from the rim. Most of these were partially glowing with a blue-ish light. Even so, there was no sign of Yugi or Atemu.

It had been two days since, and they continued to extend the trenches as per the plan, even though most of the original work was lost. Instead, they followed the outline of the Pit (which was nearly a perfect circle, anyways), and spread out the trenches from there.

As they worked, everyone made sure to keep an eye on the Pit. It could be dangerous- after all, the leaders of this project had fallen into it. The only reason that Katie and the Devonshires hadn't started organizing search parties was that, although Anriel and Shimasu were worried, Lasine was perfectly calm, stating that her Masters had probably been called somewhere and would be back soon.

That calm had yet to even begin to fray, and most of the group took solace and comfort from that. Lasine would loose the most if anything happened to Yugi and/or Atemu. If she was okay, then everything would be fine.

So when the dust cloud rose from the Pit and everyone stopped work to see what was happening, Lasine had walked calmly over, as though this was just another, ordinary day.

Somehow, she was still the first one there.

Anriel and Shimasu had followed her, arriving with Katie and Adrian, who were quickly followed by everyone else. Lasine frowned as the smoke began to clear, squinting to see if she could make out any new forms down there.

Katie's attention was caught by the glyphs on the wall, however. They were shining abnormally brightly, as though the magic in them (as there obviously was) had been activated. She frowned, but her attention was drawn down again when Lasine gasped and jumped into the Pit.

Everyone stared at the falling body- especially when water appeared from who-knew-where and wrapped around her, evaporating again to reveal that she was now dressed in blue-tinted armor. Anriel and Shimasu were in the Pit immediately afterwards, wind and whatever sand it picked up whirling around Anriel while a spout of fire attached itself to Shimasu.

By the time the wind-sand and fire cleared, the two girls were already too far down to see any changes. Katie squinted, pulling out her wand to perform a spell to aid her sight when Anriel shot up out of the Pit. Anriel, dressed in a white t-shirt and skirt with black block trim, knee-high black leather boots and riding a broom with a spear.

She leveled off next to Katie, everyone else standing back and eyeing her with surprise and amazement. "Katie, summon a broom- quickly! We need to get them up here as soon as possible!"

Katie frowned but nodded, allowing Anriel to disappear back into the Pit. She nodded to Adrian (who had essentially become second-in-command, even though he was but 12), and, picturing Hogsmead clearly in her mind, she spun on her heal and apparated to the small town with a loud Crack!

A few people were startled by her sudden appearance (and lack of warm clothes), but the few groups who were wandering the street nodded to her, recognizing her as a Hogwarts student, and continuing on their way.

Katie found that getting into Hogwarts was almost too easy. There was no real protection around the castle, although the few aurors she did see didn't do much to stop her, or even pay her any attention.

Regardless, she quickly found herself standing in the Entrance Hall, shivering as she made her way through the building to the Quidditch pitch. Why hadn't she remembered that it was winter in England? They had only been gone for a few days….

It was only when she reached the broom cupboard on the side of the pitch that she remembered that her broom was at her house, not in it's usual spot. She frowned at herself, but didn't pause, grabbing whatever good broom she found first and immediately flying on- mainly to get far enough away from Hogwarts to apparate.

Katie reappeared in the sky about the Pit, quickly descending into the darkened hole and nodding to Adrian and those still on the Pit edge.

"Katie! Hurry!"

She was startled to hear Ryou's voice, but turned into a dive, barely managing to pull the broom up at the last moment. She hopped off it, running around a piece of fallen wall with hieroglyphs on it to where she had last seen the group.

Ryou and Malik were bent over Yugi and Atemu, Lasine, Anriel and Shimasu standing around them in a loose circle. Both of the two on the ground looked worse for wear- Atemu's skin- normally a rich, dark tan- was almost as pale as her own, and he was wincing, obviously in minimal amounts of pain.

Yugi, on the other hand, was much worse. His normally pale skin looked almost see-through, his face was scrunched up, mouth moving silently as though trying to scream, and he was tossing and turning, like he was trying to fight someone off. His lips were blue, like he had hypothermia, but the large amounts of sweat pouring down his face argued otherwise.

Katie watched as Malik leant over Yugi, holding his shoulders down as Ryou carefully wrapped a piece of loose linen around his body- both to keep him warm, and to stop his jerky movements.

Ryou frowned, worry streaked over his face. "We need to get them back up to the surface. Anriel, fly up and grab the thickest tarp you can find. Lasine, go with her- get some rope, please."

The two hopped onto the spear broom, shooting up and over the rim, out of sight.

Shimasu, her mask off and staff by her side, kneeled down by Yugi's head, brushing his hair out of his face. Glimmering sky blue eyes looked up at Katie, tears barely held back. "Katie… can we help him?"

Katie knelt down beside the young girl, taking Yugi's hand in her own. He squeezed as though in reassurance, but then groaned as though it was painful- and Katie felt a slight bit of energy leaking out of her….

Ryou immediately hit her hand, making her drop the other light's. Katie frowned up at him, watching as he took the same hand and placed it within Atemu's grasp. This time, Yugi sighed peaceably and his struggling was slightly reduced.

Ryou turned to look at her with an unreadable look in his eyes, and Katie suddenly had the feeling she had done something horribly wrong.

The Abhorsen turned his head away, kneeling down between Yugi and Atemu, Katie and Shimasu standing to give him room. Malik leant down between the two as well, this time at his feet. Anriel and Lasine appeared almost instantaneously (Lasine had jumped and Anriel had let her broom go into free-fall until the very bottom).

The rope that Lasine had brought with her was used to secure Yugi and Atemu together, and then to the tarp. A large amount of magic was then used to secure the tarp to the two brooms, so it made a hammock that cradled Yugi and Atemu.

Quickly the brooms were up again, rising steadily out of the Pit. The Pharaohs were brought over to the temporary shelter that had been set up, Isis, Rishid and Bakura waiting for them.

Everyone else (and their belongings) were kicked out of the tent while the Kage no Mage were inside, doing who-knew-what with the two tri-colour haired young men. Lasine, Anriel and Shimasu helped set up another shelter, bigger and seemingly better than the original.

They finished the trench work they had determined they could do in the day, took a rest hour during the hottest part of the day, and then essentially sat around helping to cook and clean the site. Stone would have to be imported, as would trees and grasses… water would have to be found, since the underground spring turned out to be underground ruins….

Katie decided to return the broom to Hogwarts, not wanting the owner (or the school) to send out a search party for the missing….

She had to bite the side of her mouth to keep from either screaming or laughing (she couldn't tell which). In her hands she held a Nimbus-modelled broom, though she couldn't tell what model (the inscription had been worn off). Judging by the colouring, it was a 2001, which meant that it probably belonged to one of the Slytherin Quidditch Team….

Wiping her hands on her clothes, she also made a note to check in with her fellow Gryffindors and get a change of clothes so she could burn these. How could she have been so careless as to choose a Slytherin broom….

Letting Lasine know where she was going, Katie apparated back to Hogsmeade, flying quickly to Hogwarts and stopping by the broom shed. Putting the Nimbus away, she turned around to see Madame Hooch stalking over to her, looking none to impressed.

"Miss Bell! What do you think you are doing with those brooms?!"

Katie winced, but stood her ground. "I needed a broom for an emergency, Madame Hooch, and Hogwarts was the first place I could think of that I could get a good, fast broom from."

Madame Hooch glared, looking the young woman up and down. Finally she seemed to notice the loose clothing, styled for much warmer weather than what they were currently having in England. "Well come in, come in, Miss Bell. We will have to talk with Professor McGonagal about the situation, however, as Professor Dumbledore is away on business."

Katie gratefully followed Madame Hooch into the castle proper and, at length, into the elder woman's office. She sat down lightly on the only other chair in the small room, which was coloured with the House emblems and Quidditch robes, pictures of Quidditch players from all teams and many years, and trophies that were obviously her own.

The chair that she sat down in was hard wood, but it seemed to sink and shift to conform to her bottom, for which Katie was glad. She hadn't sat on a comfortable chair (or stool, really) since two nights before they had left for Egypt.

Madame Hooch poured some tea, offering it to Katie. "I'm sorry, dear, but we'll have to wait for Professor McGonagal. She is currently overseeing the Apparition lessons taking place in the Great Hall."

Katie wondered at the flying instructor's change in demeanour, and it showed- Madame Hooch chuckled, gesturing to the window that looked out towards the Pitch. "I can't very well say that it's alright that you just strolled in and took a broom for yourself, dear, outside. It would seem like I'm not doing my part to keep the school in order and safe, you see."

Katie did see, and regretted every bad thing she had ever thought about the woman (which, with some of her calls in Quidditch, was a number of things).

She sipped her tea gently, keeping one arm wrapped around herself. She knew that she would not regret her choice of clothing back in Egypt- she was, however, regretting it at that moment.

"Would you like a blanket or a cloak, dear?" Madame Hooch asked, flicking her hand at a wardrobe in a corner and opening it to reveal a number of both bright and muted coloured cloaks and robes.

Katie twisted her mouth into a faint smile. "If it's not too much trouble, I would actually like to go to Gryffindor tower and ask for a change of clothes from some of my friends. I fear I rode a Slytherin broom by mistake, but I didn't have time to check what I was grabbing…."

Madame Hooch nodded. "Alright then. The lessons should be over in half an hour, if you would like to spend a bit of time talking with your friends."

Katie nodded, standing gratefully. "Thank you, Madame Hooch!"

As it happened, Katie's route up to Gryffindor tower took her by the library, where a number of Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs were working. Most of them were the younger years, but a few fifth and seventh years were sitting around….

"Katie!" Ginny Weasly exclaimed, running out to grab the elder Gryffindor in a tight hug. Katie laughed and hugged back- through the Gryffindor Quidditch team, she had known Ginny, and the young girl was like a sister to her.

"Hello, Ginny. How have you been doing?"

"I'm fine, come meet some new members of the Quidditch team!"

Katie found herself standing in the middle of the library, most of the people there staring at her and her odd manner of dress. Madame Pince frowned at her, but Ginny signalled for a number of other people to come and herded everyone down to an empty classroom.

Katie was forced to sit down at the teacher's desk (or what would have been the teacher's desk, had the classroom been in use). Almost half the people in the library crowded into the room, standing around Katie and waiting to ask her questions.

Ginny pulled a chair up right beside the elder girl, leaning on the desk and looking up at her with bright eyes. "Katie, this is Demelza, and you should know Rebecca, and, oh! This is-"

As Ginny went through all the introductions, Katie was mentally counting the minutes. She had to find new clothes before the ones she wore permanently leaked Slytherin-ness into her skin….

"Katie," Ginny finally asked, looking at her seriously. "You know you could have come back this year, right? You were supposed to come back this year…." Ginny pouted, looking none too happy.

Katie nodded, giving her a small smile. "My grandmother died, and I had to take care of our house, and then a lot of other things came up…." Calling Madame Bella her grandmother was hardly accurate, but, at the moment, who really cared?

Ginny and a number of others nodded, expression their sympathies in their expressions. "So, Katie- what are you doing back here?"

Katie grinned up at the young fourth year Ravenclaw, making sure to emphasize her eyes and making the teen blush. "Well, you see, I needed to borrow something, and I needed to exchange these clothes (more like burn them) for something else I can wear in the desert."

"You live in a desert?"

Katie laughed. "No, I live in the House, south of here in Wales. Our current project, though, happens to be in Egypt, and it gets rather hot working all day, magic or not, in robes, or even in normal clothes."

Another voice from the back piped up, "What kind do you need?"

Katie took off her shirt (she was wearing a loose camisole underneath) and tossed it back, seeing a hand reach out for it. "Sort of like that material. It doesn't matter if it's exactly the same, but loose, light, and light colours are best."

She saw a group of girls from all the three Houses present leave, possibly to get some of the clothes. Katie sat back down, suddenly feeling all the exhaustion she had been fighting off these last few days welling up and crashing down on her.

Ginny looked at her worriedly. "Katie? Are you okay?"

She nodded, slightly, before putting on a strained smile, reassuring the crowd around her. "So- what's been going on here?"

By the time the group of girls was back with clothing almost exactly how Katie wanted it, she felt more drained than ever. That Hogwarts and the surrounding area, including the rest of the United Kingdom, was suffering so badly from these attacks on both sides of the divide was bad news enough, but with everything else inside the school itself….

Trying to put all those thoughts aside, Katie gratefully went into the nearest washroom to change, Ginny accompanying her.

"Katie… why are you really back here, other than to borrow clothes?"

Katie paused, her arms over her head about to slide the shirt she had chosen down. Thinking about what to say, Katie decided on the truth- Ginny didn't know who she was talking about, anyways.

"Well… I live in the House with two young men- twins, except they aren't related- another two young men in the same situation, three young women, one of which would be in fifth year, another in second, the third only eight, and a number of guests. For the most part, we spend time mixing potions and whatnot for healing and helping, giving strength, sleeping potions…. Yes, Ginny, we're all witches and wizards." 'Though, you should never call them that.'

Ginny looked thoughtfully around the bathroom, eyes trailing over the old, decrepit sinks and then back to Katie. "Cool. Still doesn't explain why you're here though."

Katie slipped off the pants she had on, and slipped on the new, cream-coloured ones. She tied the sash around her waist, then used the bit of Spirit that she had picked up during one of Adrian's sessions and tightened the hem around her ankles, donning the light slippers that she had taken to wearing. The shirt was also pulled tight around her upper arms, neck, and under her breasts, leaving the rest of the material loose and flowing.

Ginny looked impressed, smiling as she noticed the Gryffindor-styled ring on her finger. "Where'd you get that ring?"

Katie ran her thumb along the side of the ring, watching the way the ruby lion sparkled in the light. "It was a special Christmas present- I thought that my Housemates had given me everything the night before, but there was a whole slew of stuff the next morning!"

Ginny giggled, then looked back at Katie. "Seriously- why?"

"Well… we were asked to build something called a Weyr down in Egypt for some friends of some friends of Yugi and Ryou- two of my Housemates. Since a well was important, that was one of the first things Yugi and his 'twin', Atemu, set out to do. Unfortunately, it seems they discovered some Ancient Ruins- fell right into them, actually."

Ginny's eyes widened. "Are they alright?"

Katie shrugged, shaking her head, as they left the bathroom to head back to the class room. "I… I'm not sure. Atemu just looked to be in a bit of pain, but Yugi…" Katie didn't want to continue, especially now that they were in an open hallway, but she seemed to need to get her worry across to someone outside of the situation. "Dear Re, Ginny, but I think I fear for my life. If either Yugi or Atemu were to die, the other could never take it…. I can't explain it, you just have to believe me. It's just something you… something that you know, you know? I- I really don't know what to do, Ginny. I have my duty and I want to go back and help out and make sure that everything is alright, but-"

Ginny held up a hand to stop her. "Katie. Everything, I'm sure, will be fine. These two… this 'Ugi and Atemu will get better, and then everything will be fine, and you'll finish building this 'Weyr', and then you'll go back to your home and-"

"House." Katie correct almost immediately. "It's called Abhorsen's House."

Ginny rolled her eyes, patted Katie on her hand. "Whatever you say, Katie. But, if you ever need us- you're a Gryffindor. We'll always be here for you. Always."

Katie nodded, smiling. "Zutto."

Ginny blinked, not understanding what she had said. Katie laughed, dragging Ginny back into the classroom. She had just enough time to say 'goodbye' and then she had to get back to Madame Hooch's office, and-

The door opened to a silent room. Professors McGonagall, Flitwick and Sprout, as well as Madame Hooch and Madame Pomfrey, stood at the front, while everyone else in the room swivelled their heads around to see the two girls.

Katie frowned- this was an odd reception.

Madame Hooch looked relieved. "See? She was just going to get a change of clothes!"

Katie rolled her eyes and bowed in the Japanese style she had picked up her Housemates, to which McGonagall replied with a slight bow of her own. "Miss Bell, may we ask you some questions?"

Katie nodded, not trusting her voice. 'Of course. Just think of what everyone here told you- it was stupid to think that they wouldn't be checking to see if you're the real person or not.'

Professor McGonagall motioned for her to sit in the teacher's chair again, and then the Professors and Madames surrounded her, shooting questions at her about everything she had done in her school years.

Finally, McGonagall got around to asking the questions that only the real Katie would know. "Who is your patron?"

Katie hesitated, not wanting to say anything aloud. However, if it would keep her from being sent to Azkaban….

"My patroness was Madame Bella, who died in September of old age. Currently I live in Abhorsen's House in Wales with Ryou Bakura, Nahkti Bakura, Yugi Mouto, Yami Atemu, and Anriel, Lasine and Shimasu- as well as a constantly changing number of semi-permanent guests."

McGonagall nodded. "Then, Miss Bell, why were you sneaking brooms off our school grounds?"

Katie really didn't want to answer this, but with all the other Heads of House around her….

"We were down in Egypt, building something called a Weyr for friends of friends of Yugi and Ryou. Yugi and Atemu were blasting a hole for a well, when they seemed to have fractured the upper walls of an underground cavern in which looks to be the ruins of a palace. We needed brooms to get down there and get them up." 'Since when do I speak so properly like this?'

McGonagall's eyes flashed with worry. "Are Yugi and Atemu alright?"

Katie smiled- the impromptu Quidditch game they had held apparently had endeared all the residents of the House to the stern Deputy Headmistress. "I don't know. There was a lot of resonant energy in the area, and as if the fall wasn't enough, Yugi seems to be extremely sensitive to high energy sources. Apparently he was in the infirmary here about seven, eight years ago from some kind of overdose."

Madame Pomfrey frowned. "Overdose… what does he look like?"

Katie grinned. "Spikey, huge, tri-coloured hair, a thing for leather and black clothes, buckles, belts, silver, gold, and- most recently- tunics and baggy and/or parachute pants."

Madame Pomfrey's eyes widened, before she chuckled- though it wasn't filled with mirth. "How could we forget him."

Professors Flitwick and Sprout nodded their agreement- the whole situation with the young man had gone from weird to crazy, back to weird then right off the deep end.

Katie shared a glance with Professor McGonagall, then stood up, stretching. "I should get back. As the 'official' wizarding world correspondent, I need to be there in case they need anything. Adrian wasn't accept to Hogwarts for one reason or another (I've never seen anyone blow anything up so well), and everyone else there happens to be on-duty."

Madame Hooch held up her hand, raising her wand and giving it a wave. Moments later, a beautiful Nimbus 2000 broom appeared before her, and she gave it a once-over, before nodding and turning it over to Katie. "Here you go, dear. You are always welcome in Hogwarts."

Katie smiled, tears in her eyes. How she wished she had come back this year…. "Thank you so much, everyone. I'll be back to visit you again. And Angelina probably says 'hi'!"

There were chuckles in the room as Katie left, hearing the Professors start telling the students about how they weren't supposed to mention anything about Katie's visit, nor about the Weyr in Egypt. Blue met brown for a moment, and Katie smiled at Ginny, reassuring the girl that she would be alright. Ginny smiled back, turning to pay attention to her head of House.

As Katie made it outside and lept onto the broom, taking off for the Forbidden Forest so she could apparate, she couldn't help but wonder what had happened to her Slytherin-touched clothes. (1)

…

As it happened, those clothes had been left behind in the bathroom, thrown absent-mindedly into one of the stalls. Moaning Myrtle glared at the garments, carefully shirking away from them in her toilet. "Fifty points if you can get it through her head…." She snarled, moving into another toilet and following the pipes down to the lake for some solitude.

Ryou gave a sigh of relief as Yugi's skin regained some of its colour, although he had progressed to shivering constantly, even while sweating buckets of water. He wasn't sure what had happened, but he didn't need to be- Yugi seemed to be going through some kind of sickness, and it was very, very bad.

"Yadonushi!" Bakura hissed, causing Ryou to stumble over to the other cot that had been set up for the two. Bleary crimson opened slightly, regarding Ryou with minimal interest.

"Ai… bou?"

Ryou winced, reaching down to gently pat the Pharaoh's hand. "Iie, pr-aA. It's Ryou and Bakura."

"Ba… kura… Ry… ou? Where… ai… bou?"

Bakura had to leave, for as serious as the situation was, seeing the Pharaoh talking like a little baby was enough to set him off laughing. Ryou glared after his darkness, turning back to Atemu and letting his hand rest with Yugi's again.

Atemu smiled, relaxing. "Thank… you."

Ryou nodded, replacing the damp cloths on their foreheads and taking their temperatures. Both had gotten much better in the last five hours, though Yugi was still out of it and obviously in pain. Atemu just seemed a bit delusional, and exhausted like he had just preformed one of the Great Spells that only Shadow, Soul and Charter mages could do. Otherwise he was fine, so Ryou moved back to the other light.

Ryou frowned, checking over his patient. He had never trained to be a doctor or even go into the medical field, but somehow he knew that everything seemed similar to something he had seen before.

Bakura walked back into the tent, pulling up a chair and sitting beside Ryou, pulling his light into his lap. ((We can only wait for them to get better, hikari.))

(You almost sound worried.)

Ryou grinned slightly as Bakura snorted. ((If they die because of an illness, I'm going to become a necromancer, raise them from the dead, and then massacre them!))

(So violent….) Ryou absently commented, leaning back into the embrace. He felt so tired lately, especially after the 'abuse' (or, more specifically, insults and nagging) from the GODET team. But showing up at the Weyr site and seeing a cloud of dust rising into the air….

Bakura tightened his hold, leaning his head on Ryou's shoulder. ((Hm… go to sleep, hikari.))

Ryou stifled a yawn, glaring over his shoulder at what he could see of the other white crown. ('m not tired. Someone needs to stay and watch-))

((If it's so important to you, I will watch and wake you at the first sign of trouble.)) Bakura told him harshly.

Ryou frowned in return. (Your version of trouble means nearly-death.)

((Then I will wake you at the first sign of whatever might be wrong.))

(And if you fall asleep?)

((I won't. You know I won't.))

It was true, Ryou did know. Nodding to his darkness, he relaxed further into the warm arms and chest that supported him, sighing in contentment as he fell asleep.

Bakura placed a Charter sleeping spell over him, pressing his tongue against his teeth to imitate the high-pitched sound of Ranna. Fortunately, the whistle seemed to have an effect on the two on the cots, as their breathing deepened and evened out, bodies visibly relaxing.

He idly thought of how easy it would be to steal the puzzle (how often had these opportunities presented themselves since he had come back from Death?). His hands, he reasoned with himself, were too busy holding and supporting his hikari to reach out and take the golden trinket, both the original and the Shadow copy lying so innocently (and temptingly) around twin necks.

It was a while before Isis showed up to take the next watch, which Bakura took to mean that he was now allowed to doze. Shuddered gasping from Yugi brought all three to his side, watching as his eyes slid slowly open, before shutting immediately to block out the minimal light.

"Where…?"

Isis shushed him, replacing the cloth on his forehead again. "It's alright, Pharaoh. You're here now."

Yugi felt a small smile appear on his face, before slipping back into unconsciousness. He grasped Atemu's hand tighter, and the Anicent Pharaoh squeezed right back.

Isis had to fight to keep herself from 'awing' at the identical looks of contentment on both their faces, although Bakura had no problem in doing so. Instead, he picked Ryou up and headed out to their own little tent for some much-needed rest.

The next morning dawned almost too quickly for many people at the Weyr site, and while mostly everyone gathered around the large, communal tent for a hastily-prepared breakfast, Ryou was already standing guard over Yugi and Atemu as the two prepared to go outside.

Yugi had completely woken up sometime in the early hours of the morning, Atemu following him within seconds. A complete physical followed (or as complete as a half-trained biochemist and mage could do), which showed that, although both were fatigued and Yugi's immune system was nearly at an all-time low, everything else was fine.

Ryou finally realized why Yugi's condition had looked familiar- all his bouts of illness earlier from his powers fighting against his body had flashed through his mind as he slept, and he had entered the now-dubbed 'hospital tent' with a new syringe and a vial filled with the odd amber combination.

Yugi gladly allowed Ryou to give him the shot, although Atemu had to sit on his hikari so that he wouldn't try to run away as Ryou got steadily closer, the syringe pointing ominously at his spinal cord.

So now everyone was getting back in the swing of things and, although everyone refused to let the two Pharaohs help with the work until they were completely better (Yugi still looked a little pale, and Atemu was still a little tired), they suited up anyways, in case some help was needed after all.

The trenches were expanded nearly another kilometre outwards, before Yugi realized how far they were going and told them to curve the different parts of the soon-to-be streams around to form the circle. By the time that evening rolled around and work was stopped for the day, most of the outer circle and a number of outward protrusions from the main trenches marked where the rest of the water complex would be, and tents were being set up in specific areas around the Pit that Yugi and Atemu had found.

(about three more days and the trenches should be done, hm?) Yugi commented idly to his darkness as they prepared for bed.

Atemu nodded, slipping easily into the warm, fluffy pants and t-shirt that were used only for the cold nights. ((And then we need everything else.))

(We could make some of the buildings ourselves…?)

((You are not wasting your energy on making buildings.))

Yugi frowned, waiting until Atemu looked up from his spot sitting on the bed. (I will use my energy on building whatever I think is useful. Both you and Bakura agree- and even Ryou, Malik and Isis now I think- that I need to use more energy, less I get sick.)

Atemu didn't have a comeback for that, so he simply pulled Yugi into his arms and they both laid down in their sleeping bag.

…

Three days later, and the trenches were completed before lunch time. Everyone took a break, not looking forward to waiting around for the next part of the building process- plants for the outer areas, water supply, and stone and cement for building.

There was one worry that the elders had that the young did not- Adrian and those who had chosen to help had been out of school for a week, and- although they had purposefully worked extra hard before hand- were sure to be at least a bit behind in their lessons.

And so, just as dinner was finishing, Yugi stood up and clapped his hands, getting everyone's attention. "First of all, thank you to everyone who helped out this past week- sorry for being MIA for those few days, by the way." A low murmur of chuckles rang through the room, as it was generally accepted something weird had happened and it was left at that.

"Secondly, we're not sure when everything else will be coming, so- don't look at me like that, you don't even know what I'm going to say- until the rest of the supplies arrive, I am sorry, but I- we- think it would be best if those who have other responsibilities return to them." He shot a pointed look at the preteens and teens, waggling his eye brows for emphasis.

Adrian frowned, but nodded. Some of the others didn't take it so well, though. "You said we could help!" Heather was first on her feet, glaring at Yugi.

Atemu in turn stood, placing a firm hand on Yugi's shoulder and forcing his light to sit. Addressing the entire group, he nodded to Heather. "We understand that you want to help, and you will. But the point is that, until the building materials come, there would be nothing for you to do here. It would be wasted time. We feel it is in your best interests to return to England and continue schooling."

Yugi hurriedly stood again, continuing, "We will call you, wherever you are, when the rest of the supplies come. I promise you that."

Eventually, everyone agreed to the conditions, the Devonshires following their son and his classmates back to England, leaving their Arabian stallion and mares behind.

Yugi cooed to the animals as they watched their masters pack up their belongings and leave with Ryou, Bakura, Malik, Isis and Rashid. "It's alright, beautiful ones. Your masters will be back soon enough- they have other things to see to. But they will return."

The stallion swivelled its head around to face Yugi, eyes calming down. Before Yugi knew what happened, there was a drop of his blood in the horse's mouth, and a drop of the stallion's blood in his own. Swallowing it hesitantly, the Arabian nudged his hand gently. "It is good you can understand us, now."

Yugi's eyes widened, before he laughed out loud. "It is indeed. What is your name, stallion?"

"My masters call me Levian. And it is alright that our masters have left. You are here. We were bred to serve the Great Kings of the Sand, and no one else."

Yugi didn't know what to say, so Atemu, wandering over to him after seeing everyone off, smiled reassuringly at the stallion and mares. "Then welcome home, great Levian. Welcome home."

That night was cooler than most, so Yugi and Atemu switched their normal light sleeping clothes with warmer sweatshirts and sweatpants, curling into each other to conserve heat. It was because of the extra protection against the cold that they didn't immediately notice the sudden drop in temperature, nor the howling winds that struck just past midnight.

The tent flap being blown loose around one in the morning allowed a draft to enter the small, enclosed area. Atemu was the first to stir, curled as he was around Yugi to keep the smaller warm.

Bleary crimson opened, surveyed what he could see of outside through the small opening. He sat up, frowning as the winds only grew in strength. Yugi, now vulnerable to the cold air without the body heat of his yami, awoke quickly, immediately starting to scan the area around their tent as well.

When the winds began to blow sand directly into their faces around one thirty, it was all they could do to take down their tent, pack up their things, and find somewhere to camp out for the rest of the night.

((We could go into the Pit!)) Atemu called to Yugi, holding his light tightly against his chest.

Yugi shook his head, although it was impossible to tell if he had moved at all in the minimal light and strong winds. (We said we would take care of Levian and everything else left behind! We can't just drop them into there!)

((Then what are we supposed to do? I'm not leaving you out here to defend them!))

(Then we'll build a shelter!)

((We don't have enough energy yet- especially you, still recouping from that time-travel!))

Yugi paused, worried for a moment. But, he couldn't just let an innocent life…. Finally making his decision, he began moving towards the Pit. ((You remember where the gods' shrine is, right? We'll go ask if we can't borrow some of Egypt's resonant energy and do something about this!)

Atemu's pause was enough to let Yugi know that his darkness was completely stunned, but he quickly recovered, following Yugi and, once reaching the hikari, Shifting down to the ruins. The wind here wasn't so bad, and there wasn't much sand to be blown into open eyes, mouths and wounds.

((I'm worried, aibou- you grew up in Japan, where the gods and goddess are-))

(I know where I grew up, but jii-chan always made sure I paid my respect to both Japanese and Egyptian Celestials! I will humbly ask for aid, and if they refuse, then may it be on my head to help those creatures!)

Atemu stopped again, and again Yugi didn't wait for him, immediately moving further into the ruins where faint traces of memory told him the shrine was. Eventually, Atemu caught him up and personally led them through what remained of the halls, easily finding the old, gold-encrusted room- or what remained of it.

Making their way to a small, shattered dais, both light and dark fell to their knees, bowing their heads to the floor. Yugi offered all of the few rings he had been wearing when he and Atemu had left the past, as he had left his present in the hidden recovery room. Atemu procured some galleons and small gold, silver, onyx, ruby and amethyst pieces, and laid them beside the golden rings on the somehow still-intact altar.

(((For Tem, creator of all things; Shu and Tefnut of Sky and Earth; Nut and Geb, twins of the most high; Osiris, Lord of those Past; Isis, wife of the Lord and mother of the Light; Set, bringer of destruction and chaos; Nephtys, heart of the darkness; Anubis, eternal Guide of Duat; and Horus, truth of Life and Light. We, your most humble and True servants, offer our possessions and ourselves for your works, Greatest of the Great. We ask nothing of you but to allow us to build a place of safety in these times of need, for both ourselves and those we have taken charge of. We-)))

(-(Stop. You are making Me/Us annoyed. You have always had My/Our support, as I/We have had yours. Go and do My/Our works and protect that which I/We have given you to keep. Khemet will always protect My/Our/Its own.)-)

Both Yugi and Atemu were startled by both the sudden presence and power levels. Yugi felt nearly on the verge of collapsing, even as Atemu struggled to formulate an appropriate response.

((We-))

(-(I/We have already given you My/Our blessings. Go.)-)

The last was said with such strength that neither could do anything but stand and Shift back to the edge of the Pit, where they had left the Arabian horses. Levian stood his ground, as did the mares. Atemu returned to his soul room, letting the Shadows that had made his body return to their own places, as Yugi turned to face the Pit.

He sighed, drawing a deep breath as he prepared for whatever 'Works' they would be performing.

((It is alright, my own. We are safe- we are god-touched.))

(That doesn't make me feel any better about standing in the middle of a sand-storm with no protection. And since when do sandstorms happen during the night?!)

((Enough, my own. The time is almost right.))

Slowly, Yugi felt Atemu reaching out and wrapping around his heart and soul, merging with him to become what they had once been.

"As the gods and goddesses guide my way, so too do I guide all others. Spirit of Light and Darkness, of Chaos, Destruction and Creation, and all powers and souls of the Shadows, aid us in our Works! The sand shall rise up in praise eternal, stone offering its power to guard the Heart of its creator. The water shall flow like praise for the Highest from my lips, and the green that only comes with Life shall erupt in joy and honour. The Heart shall stand True, never yielding, to Guard and protect that which Khemet claims as its own from that which would destroy and smite it, from both nature and man. By This do We swear and by This do We Live. This we protect, This We nourish, This we honour. Eternal Life, grant Us your guidance! Grant us your wisdom! Grant us Your Spirit! Grant us Your Power!"

How they had known what to say, what to do, what energy signatures and heka to tap into, neither was sure. Nor were they sure exactly what happened what afterwards- or how soon after they blacked out.

---

What both Yugi and Atemu were definitely sure about, what they definitely knew had happened, and yet definitely had no idea how, was that they woke up the next morning in the most comfortable bed either had ever slept in, in a room fit for a King, looking out upon what could not be considered an oasis.

"Did we go back in time again?" Yugi murmured to his darkness, both of them standing at one of the large windows in their rooms. "Like, to the Hanging Garden of Babylon?"

"The plumbing and shower stall in our bathroom back there argues no." Atemu replied, eyes glued to the water-filled streams, grassland, pastures, eight ring walls, two major Walls (one of which was barely visible in the distance), ten circular trenches, and mini-city that had sprung up seemingly over night.

"…you know, Adrian and everyone are going to kill us for not letting them help build."

"…I don't think they're going to complain an awful lot about this, aibou."

As they left their chambers (which apparently consisted of a sleeping room, a sitting room plus mini-bar, which included a fridge, a large closet and their own ensuite bathroom) and entered the hallway beyond it, both were struck by the feeling that they knew this place.

Two hallways down, after seemingly knowing exactly where they were going, both had the same revelation at the same time.

"…okay, what happened last night? Why is the Castle of the Dominion here?"

"…everyone wanted a trip?"

Slowly, words from the incantation returned to them, both simultaneously groaning.

"…and all powers and souls of the Shadows, aid us in our Works!"

"Can't we even do magic normally?" Yugi muttered, glaring at nothing.

Atemu chuckled, leading him down the hallway. "Apparently not, aibou. Look at it this way, though- this place isn't the same as the Castle. It's changed."

"Yeah. Less 'Medieval Times' and more 'The Jetsons'."

"More- what are those buildings called again? Where the people run the countries- oh, yes. Government offices and buildings."

Yugi rolled his eyes. "Exactly what we wanted, of course."

Atemu imitated his hikari, both of them walking again and looking around for either kitchens or stables- Atemu didn't care where they went, but Yugi wanted to eat something and check on the horses.

Yugi paused, more of his memory returning to him. "But… it wasn't really what we wanted, was it? I mean, whatever, whoever gave us that power said it was their Works…."

"The gods, goddesses, and resonant energies of those who have passed before us." Atemu supplied, nodding his head. "Yes, I believe it was their Works. At least, I wouldn't be surprised."

"I am! I always believed in the idea of a 'higher power', but that that same 'higher power' would actually deem me worthy to-"

"Stop right there. You are me as I am you. We are both Pharaoh, we are both Atemu. Just because I am the Past and you are the Future does not mean that we are not the same. Pharaoh was a child of the gods, was chosen and gifted by the 'higher power' to do their Works and keep Ma'at." Atemu took this opportunity to smirk down at his smaller companion, smiling at Yugi's slight shock and surprise. "You can't have not heard this before- I'm sure that both I and everyone else who knows anything about Egypt has said this at least once."

Yugi pouted, opening a large pair of double doors into what would have been the Great Hall in the Dominion. Instead, a hallway twenty feet wide with ceilings over forty feet tall greeted their sight, windows in the ceiling allowing light to enter. The hallway curved around to their right and left and forwards, following the curved outer wall of another circular room, to which a number of large double doors led. On the opposite hemisphere of wall was bank after bank of windows, stretching from floor to ceiling for the full forty feet of the outer hallway. The windows looked North, giving a spectacular view of both town, field, and, in the very far distance, desert.

Based on the view, this room would have to be at least eight stories above the ground, if not more. They could only imagine what the complex looked like from the outside.

Atemu looked around the room itself while Yugi stared, transfixed, out the windows. The room must have been around two hundred feet wide, the windows stretching the full height of the walls. The ceiling, however, was a beautifully engraved and brightly painted scene of gods and goddesses, dragons and mages, elementals and spirits, kings and queens and heroes and demons and average men and women, doing all sorts of tasks. As it was domed, there were obvious architectural features that were both used to support the ceiling while also separating the different murals.

The part of the circular wall that was not filled with windows, the space between doors, played host to niches in which statues of more gods and goddess and a variety of other such beings stood- Nike of Victory, Thoth of Wisdom, Horus of Light, Zeus, Aphrodite, Athena, Minerva, Mars, and a few others that weren't automatically recognizable.

Atemu was trying to figure out why he hadn't noticed how think the walls were in the first place.

Yugi had turned his attention to the floor, which bore a stunning mosaic in reds, blues, greens, yellows, oranges, purples- any color one could think of, it was probably somewhere on the floor. The outer rim was a striking navy blue, the runes and hieroglyphs which ran inside it written in sky blue. More scenes depicting the different characteristics each of the gods and goddesses around the room represented were depicted between the outer rim of runes and the inner rim of more runes. Inside the inner rim's eight foot diameter was a fairly simple pattern of sun and moon- the sun drawn out in stunning yellows, reds, and oranges, the moon in calming blues, whites, and purples.

It was Atemu who noticed that gold leaf had been pressed into the area between each block of colour that made the mosaic, and Yugi who realized that, although each scene was different, the entire floor pattern was, for the most part, symmetrical.

"Are those columns decorated with carved vines and flowers?"

"Yes… oh! Look at the doors! Stain glass and cherry wood!"

"Aibou, look! That's a mural of Re!"

"Wow! And that's Hathor… oh, erm… does that show what I think it does?"

Atemu shot his hikari a mocking look. "What do you think Hathor was reputed to do in her spare time?"

Yugi made a face. "Do we have to have a mural of it?"

Atemu laughed, drawing Yugi against him. "What? Do you have a problem with it? Want to upset one of our patron goddesses?"

Yugi stuck out his tongue. "No. I just don't necessarily want to see a depiction of a goddess having sex right beside a rather inspirational picture of Re. Ruin a good plan, you know."

"Or maybe influence it. You wouldn't believe the information you can get from prostitutes…."

"I don't want to know how you know that…."

They left the room, entering the large, round hallways through another of the double doors which led into it. Randomly choosing another door, they entered a long hallway that apparently ended at an outer wall, based on the large windows that let light into the otherwise dark corridor.

The rooms along that hallway seemed to be sitting and entertainment rooms, one of which contained an almost ridiculous variety of musical instruments. Atemu had to drag Yugi away from that one (Yugi struggling the moment he had seen a piano, having taken lessons in the Axis on their off-time).

Eventually, the came to the end of the hallway, following it as it turned left into another hallway, this one having paintings and statues along the left side while the right was filled with more windows.

"There's lots of glass in here…." Yugi muttered to himself, whipping his head from the artwork and statues on the left to the occasional statue and stained glass on the right.

Atemu chuckled, putting his hand on top of Yugi's head and holding it still. "You can admire all the artwork you want later. Let's just try to find our way around."

This hallway curved away from the outer wall inwards, large, open, and incredibly inviting and comfortable looking rooms making their appearance. Apparently, this hallways stretched all the way to the other side of the complex, as the glow of windows on the opposite side showed the outdoors as well.

Between them and those windows, however, was a large, circular rotunda. The marble floors (which had not been missed by Yugi and Atemu's carefully appraising eyes) expanded again into a perfect circle, the middle of which was filled with elegant marble staircases leading both up and down. Yugi walked out onto a small balcony that served as a landing to walk onto their floor, looking up at the ceiling, that was in fact a magnificent stained glass sky light.

"Wow… yami, look…."

Atemu did marvel for a moment at the glittering mass floors above them, but the trickle of water caught his attention. Turning his head down, he smiled as he saw the source. "Aibou, look down there."

Yugi's attention was caught and held, and moments later he was racing down the stairs, Atemu following at a more sedate pace. Even so, he arrived only moments after Yugi, who was already standing in the middle of the large, indoor garden, complete with fountain, ponds, fish, birds, trees, bushes, grasses, flowers, cobblestone paths, bridges, and small streams.

"Oh, yami… this is gorgeous."

Atemu smiled as he watched Yugi wander through the garden, eventually taking a seat in the gazebo that was suspended over the biggest pond, dead centre in the garden. He followed Yugi, sitting down beside his light and letting Yugi rest his head on his shoulder.

"It is, aibou. I believe, however, that this is the only thing on this floor- perhaps we should go up one and see what is there?"

For the first time, Yugi looked past the gardens and saw the intricately carved walls, barely visible in the darkness and gloom of this lowest floor.

"Oh! Yes, I guess you're right… but we can come back here, yes?"

Atemu nodded, helping the hikari stand. "Of course we can. Now- didn't you want to check on the horses and eat something?"

Yugi nodded, already hurrying towards the stairs. "Come on, yami! I'm hungry!"

Atemu had to fight to keep from rolling his eyes, but he managed it and quickly caught up his young charge. "Save your energy- we're not sure how much further we'll have to walk."

"Yes, mother."

Atemu looked down at Yugi- or the Yugi-thing that was smirking in a very un-Yugi-like way. "Aibou…?"

"Tag! You're it!" And Yugi was off, leaving Atemu standing on the stairs, stunned, as his light disappeared from sight. Then…

"Aibou! Get back here!"

It turned out that the kitchens were indeed on the ground floor, as were the stables (the garden being located below ground, apparently). Though there did seem to be a main entrance (and, for some reason, a rather obvious and large parking garage), most of the ground floor was divided into eleven different, separate parts, like those buildings had been built first, side-by-side although they were separate, and then the rest of the building had grown from them. Each were rather large, and some, by the amount of staircases, extended further upwards into the main complex as well.

There was a twelfth separate building, or it seemed that way- situated between the building that practically screamed 'hospital!', and the one they later discovered was the kitchens, it was more an elegant foyer which led upwards. A brief search revealed that it was the entrance to a number of levels on the outside of the complex, their inner corridors rounding the, apparently circular building, from the north east to the south, then continuing up to the north west.

((Based on our position, these chambers are probably for occupants who need lots of sun.))

(Didn't Agni and Kazille mention that these dragons like warmth?)

((…that solves that problem, then.))

The idea that these levels were indeed reserved for dragons and their riders was only emphasized by the large main rooms of the chambers which included huge couches that no normal animal could fit on, and the smaller bedrooms and bathrooms.

It was after this that they discovered the kitchens, which Yugi was sure had to be the biggest of all the attached buildings. Three floors, fifty-eight ten metre by ten metre sky lights, eighty-seven modern kitchens, thirty-three hearths, and eighteen different ways down to nine different pantries later, Yugi and Atemu both had full stomachs and were walking out the doors that led, apparently, to the outside of the complex.

They took this chance to finally look at the outside of the building they had until recently been exploring.

Yugi had a hard time picking his jaw up off the floor, Atemu struggling to not let it drop in the first place.

It was indeed circular (for the most part), and it was most very certainly huge. Yugi had a hard time seeing the top of the complex, which was, if he had to guess, easily taller than a kilometre, and just as wide.

A few more steps back (to the top of the first of the major, and magically-protected Walls around the mini-city) gave them a better view to appreciate the majesty of it all.

The complex itself looked as though it was a hemisphere of a ball- though a ball where one side had a number of smaller and one huge tower sticking out of it. The large, mural-filled room they had first discovered was a prominent feature, its many windows glittering in the morning sun. It stuck out from the complex, the sculpted outer walls reaching right down to the ground. Apparently above the main entrance, its vaulted roof resembled that of one of Europe's great cathedrals, sloping back to meet the main roof, which in turn soared up into the sky, almost reminiscent of the Taj Mahal.

The other attached buildings imitated that first room, except starting on the ground. Not all of their roofs were of the same style (most of the squared instead of rounded), but it seemed they were all made to reach exactly five stories tall- even though they were, in fact, rather tall floors and therefore not necessarily five could fit in the building.

Around the mid-to-upper floors were the tell-tale, beautifully carved but gaping holes in the structure- entrances for the weyrs, if Yugi's memory served him right. Above them was where the rest of the roof started, the only part reaching further down than the weyrs the part which joined the mural room.

A few small towers decorated the sides, while a larger tower reached to the heavens even further than the main roof, more windows glinting on the sides.

"I'd have to agree with your comment on 'lots of glass', aibou… is that our room?" Atemu asked, pointing to a number of windows on the tallest tower that looked suspiciously familiar.

"I… I think it is…." Yugi breathed, still too awed by what they had, essentially accidentally, done.

Around them were a number of other buildings- an odd mix of ancient, medieval, and modern, they had a class all their own, even with the mostly grey-yellow stone that was used. Flat-roofed and, from what they could see, connected by bridges into an above-ground series of streets, there seemed to be doors, windows, and balconies all over the place. These buildings stretched from the open ground around the complex (which had trees, grass, gardens, roads and walking paths) to the open ground around the Wall upon which they were standing.

There was a gate for what was probably the main road a little to their left, which continued to another, slightly smaller wall about three hundred feet of open, grassy area from the first.

Beyond that it seemed to turn into pastures, forests, and open fields, punctuated every one hundred fifty feet by alternately one of the remaining rivers/streams or walls.

The main rivers, eight in total, stretched north, south, east, west, south east, south west, north east and north west from the main complex, passing under the Walls through holes dug in the ground and iron grates. One of the ring rivers showed up about three quarters of the way from the complex to the Wall.

Beyond the final Wall, which seemed to be as tall as this first one (both of which were laden down with magical charms for protection, banishing, wards, health, prosperity and fertility), Yugi and Atemu could barely make out the scorching yellow sand of the desert.

For some reason, the sun didn't seem as hot within the Walls as it did when there had been no walls at all.

"Magic?"

Atemu shrugged, turning back to the complex. "Probably."

A whickering from below caught their attention, and both light and dark looked down to see Levian and one of the mares (who was currently bearing Levian's foal), Astria.

Yugi hopped down the steps, running over and wrapping his arms around both Levian's and Astria's necks, laughing in relief that they were okay. Atemu followed, smiling and nodding at the rest of the mares who were turning around and heading back to the complex- wherever they had stayed the night, he realized.

Yugi pulled his head away from a whispered conversation from the two Arabians, laughing as he swung himself up onto Astria's back. "Yami! Levian and Astria say they want to go for a run out of the walls into the desert!"

Atemu replied with a laugh of his own, bowing once to Levian and then vaulting onto the horses' back, easily recalling and forwarding to Yugi all his memories regarding riding horses. "Then let us go into the desert!"

They approached the gate, which- at a touch from Atemu's hand, opened onto the first open area. After that, each gate opened automatically for them, letting them run as fast as they wished.

By noon they were at the final Wall, Levian and Astria easily making it that far. It seemed that what remained of their tents and supplies had been set up out there, making a pit stop for anyone leaving or entering the protected area.

Taking a quick lunch (somehow, the cooler was still keeping their foods and drinks cold), they headed out into the desert, letting the two Arabians run where so ever they wished. It was probably two hours later that they finally ran out of water to drink, and they began looking around for any signs of a water source.

The tell-tale dark splotch that were the Walls were just visible, but Astria had another suggestion.

"There is a small village not too far away from here. They are fairly close to a spring- we can go there, you can eat, we can rest, and then we can ride back in the cool of the night."

There was agreement all around, and the two horses took off at high speed for the village.

---

"Mmm… Yami, have you tried this stuff? It's great!"

"Of course, aibou. We're eating the same thing."

"…oh. Right."

They continued to eat in silence, relaxing in the small restaurant/inn they had found. Apparently, this 'small village' was more of a town, including a bank, interact, two inns, three restaurants, two cafes, a school, a police department, and a small hospital.

Outside, Levian and Astria were receiving much attention- most Arabian horses had been run into the ground and had none of their former power left. They had been given buckets of water and the finest straw that was laying around- and their riders had been given just as much attention.

The story about the two twins who rode out of the desert on great whirlwinds had spread through the town- except now, it had been changed to two twins, sent by the gods, to bring prosperity and life to their small, little village rode out of the hottest part of the desert on the wings of two great beasts who only appeared to be horses, but were, in fact, the champion breeds of the gods themselves.

"I didn't think that people in Egypt still believed in the Heliopolitan Ennead." Yugi whispered to Atemu, stealing some of the meat from his dark's plate.

Atemu frowned at the missing meat, instead stealing one of the pieces of vegetables from his light's. "Most don't. When Islam first came, I believe that everyone thought it would end their suffering from the desert and whatnot. When it didn't- and things just kept getting worse- I suppose some of them switched back. Of course, they're not entirely 'faithful', as they still participate in Islamic rituals, but they also say their prayers to Tem and Re and everyone else."

"Maybe they want to completely switch back, but can't, because Islam doesn't allow its members to switch to another religion?" Yugi asked, looking around at the rather large groupings of men in turbans and women in veils all around them.

Atemu shrugged. "It's more likely they're playing the field. Faith relies on belief, not fact. They have no proof that either the Heliopolitan Ennead nor Allah exists, but they want freedom and they want religion, so they try to divide their faith between the two."

Yugi's face suddenly gained a mischievous smirk, which only grew as he scanned the restaurant again. "What if we were to play along with these stories…?"

Atemu stared at him for a second in that 'I can't believe you actually said that!' look, before bursting into laughter. He reached over to steal some more of Yugi's food, his own smirk on his face. "And what makes you think they won't start worshipping us instead of purely the Heliopolitan Ennead?"

"Because we'll be going on and on about how we're messengers from the Highest gods, Re and Tem and Shu and Tefnut…."

Although neither really planned on going through with this plan, they spent the rest of the meal stealing each other's food and elaborating more on this scheme. When they finally left the restaurant, Yugi was nearly bent double with laughter, Atemu barely able to support him. Levian and Astria whickered in what was a questioning way, which Yugi waved aside while vaulting onto Astria's back, Atemu doing the same with Levian.

A man from the crowd around them walked forward, nodding to them to get their attention. While Yugi tried to get comfortable riding bare-back with their new saddlebags behind him (he eventually opted to use the saddle bags as an actual saddle), Atemu nodded to the man to get him to speak.

"My name is-"

"What do you want?" Atemu cut him off, eyes narrowing. From the moment the man opened his mouth, nothing but a thick, black curling whisp of smoke exited- which, to those with sight, meant that the only thing this man could say were lies, half-truths, or something that nothing good could come from.

"I wish to buy your Arabians."

Yugi eyed him, snorting. "Levian and Astria are not for sale."

"I can pay you whatever price you want!"

"We have all the money we need." Atemu replied, thinking briefly back to their vaults beneath Gringotts, and the large amount of money and treasures inside them.

"I can buy you any house you would like-"

"We already have a wonderful home- a few of them, actually." Yugi responded, nudging Astria away from the man and towards the crowd.

"I will race them, and whatever money I get from them, I'll give you fifty percent!"

"Money doesn't mean anything!"

"Fame!"

"Neither does fame, glory, power, or whatever else you're going to be attempting to sell us with!"

By now they were shouting over their shoulders, Levian and Astria moving quickly and picking up speed every second they were closer to the edge of the town.

"Safety! If you do not sell them to me, you will most surely be killed by my employers!"

Yugi laughed, slowing Astria down for barely a second. "And what makes you think we haven't survived a number of assassination attempts before?"

And then they were off, listening intently to Levian and Astria, and removing two small packages that had found their way into each saddle bag. Throwing them into the open desert, they were greeted with eight loud explosions and geysers of sand and rock around them, causing the stories in the town to circulate more- and with more elaboration.

The man stood there, frowning, before walking back into the restaurant they had just left- perhaps there was something there he could use to get the horses….

By the time they had reached the complex stables- which was in one of the southern buildings, next to a great courtyard that was easily bigger than the mural room and beside a large, gaping hole in the southern wall of the complex- it was nearly midnight, and all four were exhausted. Yugi and Atemu set some sponges, buckets, combs, picks and (for no apparent reason) mops to cleaning Levian and Astria, while they headed upstairs, trying to remember which floor their rooms were on again.

It took another half an hour, but they finally found the mural room, and then the door through which they had first found it. Following that corridor, they reached the stairs they hadn't noticed they had walked down earlier, then up them to their own chambers.

It took too much energy to change, so both collapsed onto the bed, sighing in relaxation as they felt the sponges and whatnot finish cleaning and caring for the two best Arabian horses ever. Falling asleep curled into each other for comfort, each dreamed of riding far and fast, laughing at stumpy old men who were throwing dynamite around and Re, in his fits of fury at the mortals who would dare try to injure his chosen beasts and children, would set the sticks of fire alight, laughing with the two as they reached the complex and all the people and dragons that waited for them inside.

---

"Hurry up, Shea!"

"I'm coming, Al!"

The young girl ran up to her brother's side, each watching the two 'god sent' twins riding away on starlight and midnight. Shea frowned at her elder brother, none too happy to have been dragged out of their family home like this. She pulled her head-scarf tighter around her neck, careful to keep part over her mouth, more-so to protect against sand than to keep with Islamic custom.

"What do you want, Al?"

Ali Fal Hammund, commonly just called Al, turned to his sister and laughed. "You see those two twin gods? I'm telling you, Shea- they're going to help us out, alright! They'll make Egypt green, and the rest of the world green with envy! People'll be coming here all the time, and our restaurant-inn will be the best of the best, and everyone will have to make reservations months- no, years in advance to stay!"

Shea kept her sceptical look on her face. "Right, Al. And Egypt's old gods are going to walk by on parade, throwing out tons of money and stuff for us to gather all up and turn ourselves into- what was that called- oh yeah, a commercialistic society."

"It's the only way to gain anything in life, Shea. You need money- lots of money."

"You need a brain, Al. Those two aren't god-sent- they're just crazy desert folk with two good Arabians."

"And those 'two good Arabians' should be the first clue that they're more than what they seem. Since when have Arabians been that good?!"

"Since all the ones around here have been worked until their legs are broken, and the only ones left to breed and old and decrepit!"

Al rounded on her, glaring. "Muyan isn't old and deprecit!"

Shea returned his glare evenly. "Yes he is, and it's decrepit, idiot!"

"Donkey dung!"

"Dung-for-brains!"

Eventually, it turned into a swearing, then glaring match, Al being the first to break it off. "Listen, I'll make you a deal. We'll follow their tracks in the morning. If we find that they're just crazy desert wanders, I'll never mention Egypt's gods or whatever again. I'll never think of them, never pray to them, and everything I do will be for Allah. If I'm right, then we both switch completely over to Egypt's gods."

Shea didn't let up on her glare. "And what would make you right?"

Al smirked. "If they live in a castle."

…

"…I didn't mean it seriously…." Al whispered, struck with awe at the sight before him and his sister. Four hours before dawn the next day, they had snuck out of their rooms and down to the town stables, where they saddled Muyan, the family horse, and took off towards the south-east.

An hour's ride had brought them to the first Wall, which had been enough to convince both that Al had been right. But, feeling reckless, they had pushed on, trotting easily through the open Gate, and up the long boulevard, over all the bridges and under the other gates. They marvelled at the greenery- the forests and the fields, the rivers and ponds and animals. When they had finally reached the biggest Wall and gate they had seen in their three hours of riding, Muyan was dead on his feet, but brought them through to the final Wall and Main Gate, before collapsing, completely spent.

Shea and Al had been worried, but the sound of a small side Gate they hadn't seen before opening caught and held their attention. The walked up the stairs it led to, coming out on top of the Wall and having the clearest view yet of the small city within its embrace.

"Apparently, the gods did." Shea replied, eyes continuously drawn to the large palace-like building in the middle of the grounds.

Their ability to now use the Egyptian gods and goddess's names in oaths (and swears) was unprecedented- they had adapted and changed within two feet of the first Wall and gate. The idea that the world played host to gods and goddesses didn't seem so impossible, either.

It was Shea who eventually climbed down the outer stairs, eyes drawn to the odd, darker area beneath that beautiful glass protrusion on the complex. Al dithered for a moment, before plunging head-long after his sister, barely keeping his balance on the stairs.

Shea also started to run, both racing to see who could get to the dark area first.

It was a tie- and they were extremely tired. "It… didn't look… so far… from the wall…." Al gasped, leaning against the corner that turned the wall from the outside of the building to the area under the glass.

Shea was barely able to lift her head, glaring at him. "Al? Shut up."

Catching their breaths (and wishing they had brought water with them), they made their way into the dark area- only to find that it wasn't dark at all, just a bit shadowed. The boulevard they had followed led them further beneath the complex, eventually ending at an inner courtyard, where light from unidentifiable sources helped trees and plants to grow, shining on a small pool of water.

Shea and Al dunked their heads into the pool, gladly lapping up some of the delicious liquid.

So busy were they drinking that they didn't notice the large, beautifully engraved glass and wrought-iron doors behind them open, nor the two figures that walked out to stand behind them.

It was Shea who noticed first, the patch of water she was drinking out of suddenly becoming shadowed. She turned her head slowly and-

"AAAHHHH! AAAALLLLL!"

Al whipped around, moving between Shea and whoever was behind them to protect her. He froze when he realized who it was, though, and gulped.

"Er… hello?"

The two twins standing behind them either just smiled or raised an eyebrow. Shea finally noticed something that had been bugging her since she had first laid eyes on them. One was as beautiful as the purest sunlight when it wasn't burning everything in sight, the kindest heart, the gentlest breeze, the most refreshing water. The other seemed to be one of midnight's children, the darkest part of the deepest river, the wildest sandstorm, the person who you would least expect to be the hero in fairy tales….

She blinked, hurriedly standing and bowing at the waist to them. "Excuse us, forgive us! We were just wandering around, and then we saw the walls, and all the gates opened for us and-"

She cut herself off at the chuckling from the lighter one. "What are your names?"

"Ah- my name is Shea Fal Hammund, and this is my brother, Ali Fal Hammund."

Al bowed at the waist as well, trying to follow his (younger) sister's (better) example. "Er- nice to meet you! I'm Al!"

"I am Yugi, and this is Yami." The light one replied, placing both his pointer and middle fingers under each of their chins, lifting their heads so they could clearly see the striking, amethyst eyes. "It is wonderful to meet you Shea, Al."

The one called Yami, from his position a few feet behind Yugi, nodded and smiled.

There was a few seconds of silence, before Yugi straightened and forced Shea and Al to do the same. "I assume you came here on horseback- the gates, I believe, don't like to open on their own for motorized vehicles. Where is your mount?"

Al looked guiltily behind them, but Shea forced herself to continue to hold Yugi's solid gaze. "Muyan- our family horse- brought us here. The last gate didn't open for us, so we climbed the stairs and left Muyan outside on the- that was grass, right?"

Yugi nodded, while Yami moved further back into the shadows- towards the doors that Shea now saw were there.

"Muyan will be taken care of- given food, rest, relaxation. We'll bring you two back on Levian and Astria, and- if it's no trouble- we might be able to get you a new horse for your family."

The siblings looked so delighted, Yugi couldn't help but chuckle. "Since you arrived here not too long ago, I don't believe that you have had breakfast. Neither have I, actually- want to help me cook?"

Now, if he had asked them for breakfast, him doing all the cooking, Shea and Al would have said 'no'. As they were getting to cook though… and breakfast did sound so very good….

"Of course! Thank you!" Al hurriedly added the last bit after Shea discretely stepped on his foot.

Yugi laughed again, leading them back towards the doors. "Now, if you feel uncomfortable or want to go back to your home, all you have to do is say so. We want you to be comfortable here, since this place is supposed to be for people to come to, not to scare them away."

Shea looked up at him sharply. "Then why all the gates?"

Yugi chuckled. "Didn't you hear me say that they don't open for motorized vehicles? We're trying to keep this place clean and non-polluted. Not as dirty and disgusting as most areas that hold an even slightly large population."

Shea nodded, and Al looked impressed as they made their way past the large hall where the central staircase was located (as they found out, there were a number of other staircases all through the complex). "Wow… how did you build this place so fast?"

Yugi smiled, winked at them. "Oh… a secret. A secret, and a lot of faith."

Shea and Al stopped in their tracks, Yugi not noticing until he realized that neither were proceeding through the door her had just opened into the kitchens. "What is it?"

"A lot of- you mean you are from the Egyptian gods?!" The looks on their faces nearly sent Yugi rolling on the floor in laughter, but the charge easily stopped that.

"Er… define 'from'."

Al looked awed as Shea took a step back, then flung herself on the ground with as much grace as a prepubescent body would allow. When Al did not follow her lead, she reached up with her hand and yanked him down beside her.

"Forgive us for not realizing, but we-"

"Oh, for the love of Re." Yugi muttered, but, with the silence and hard, stone walls, it was easily audible. Shea immediately went silent, waiting for her punishment for- whatever she had done. Speaking out of turn sounded like a good reason.

"Both of you, stand. No, you're not being punished." The siblings hesitantly stood, neither meeting his eyes. "Stop this hero-worship. Now. As far as I want you- and everyone else in your town- to be concerned, I am nothing but a young man who is trying to make his way in life with one hell of a destiny on his shoulders, and nothing more. I am a friend to help and guide, not to hurt or judge (Atemu, in the back of his mind, snorted), not to report your misdeeds to the higher powers.

"My name is Yugi Mouto from Japan, Egypt, England, and the Axis, and I am no messenger of the gods, nor a spy for them. Alright? Besides- the gods don't need spies. They happen to see everything."

Both siblings looked relieved- but then worried. "Wait- you mean they are omniscient?" Shea gasped, allowing herself to be pulled into the kitchens, Al automatically following her.

Yugi laughed. "Indeed they are. Egypt looks after its own, after all, even if you happen to be born and live on the other side of the world."

Al frowned. "But- I never felt like anyone was watching over me."

Yugi smiled as he led them to the kitchen area he and Atemu had decided to use- on the top floor of the building, and directly underneath a skylight, the small island bar that would normally be used as food-preparation space was clearly illuminated and the four stools that lined it were already set for breakfast.

Shea and Al looked at Yugi worriedly, and he just laughed. "We always have extra places set no matter where we go, since some of our friends have a habit of dropping in at the worst possible times."

Somewhat relieved, somewhat suspicious, and mostly still in awe (Yugi had never exactly denied he was sent by the gods), the three set about in the kitchen, trying to cook. As it turned out, Yugi wasn't the greatest, but he was easily better than Al.

Shea kicked them both out of the kitchen, loving the chance to work in such a state-of-the-art place. "Mom would kill to have a kitchen like this…."

Yugi laughed, pulling a stool up for himself as Al plunked himself down in another. "Well, please tell her she can come by here any time she has some free time- Re knows we need help with cooking. Oh, wait- your parents own the restaurant-inn in Tunaydah, right? I guess they wouldn't have much free time then, would they?"

Shea and Al just stared at him, and Yugi realized that he hadn't explained to them yet that he and Atemu had stopped by that same restaurant-inn to have dinner the night before.

Before he could do so, Shea yelped as the oil in the frying pan spat and burned her skin. Yugi and Al were nearly across the counter, but Atemu came hurrying into the room right at that moment, carrying a small bag filled with natural cures. Pulling out a small, potted plant, he placed it on the counter and ripped off the top of one of the spiky green stems that exploded from the soil.

He rubbed the juices onto the burns, Shea watching him carefully. "This is called Aloe. It's a natural way to ease the pain of burns- and, according to all those products out there, it's good for your skin, too."

Yugi rolled his eyes while Shea giggled, Al still looking worried, but eyeing the plant with extreme interest. Yugi noticed this, and grabbed a small bag from one of the drawers on the other side of the counter, having to reach over and awkwardly manipulate the hinges. Pulling a few of the stalks out of the soil, he scooped up the earth around it and placed both the stalks and the earth into the baggy, tying it into a loose knot after sprinkling some water into it.

"Take this home to your mother, Al- Aloe is good to have around."

Al nodded, placing the baggy to the side as Shea got back to cooking and Atemu took his seat beside Yugi.

Breakfast was a traditional one (for Shea and Al), but Yugi and Atemu enjoyed it all the same ("It's better than aibou's cooking," for which Atemu was nearly knocked out of his seat).

After breakfast, Yugi and Atemu led them back out to the main staircase, opting to give them a tour until they wanted to head home.

"So- where to first?" Yugi asked, Shea and Al already trying to answer.

…

The entire Fal Hammund family consisted of five great-grandparents, six grandparents, four mothers, four fathers, fifteen children, and a total of twenty-eight pets.

The entire town of Tunaydah (not including the Fal Hammund family) consisted of eight hundred sixty one people, five hundred ninety seven being under the age of forty.

Both the Fal Hammund family and the rest of Tunaydah found themselves in the few cars that belonged to the town, outside the first Wall and gate, into which two Fal Hammund children, Shea and Ali, had disappeared in the early morning (according to some desert traders that still went between them and the other remote towns, and those main ones on the Nile).

Shea Fal Hammund and Ali Fal Hammund's mother, Niyern Fal Hammund, found herself bawling into her husband's shoulder as the gates still refused to open, like they had for the last eight hours.

Niyern's husband, Laern Fal Hammund, kept his face stoically blank, like he was daring the gates to open and let them see their two children, hung by their necks on the opposite side of the wall.

What no one expected was for the gates to finally open with barely an hour to go before sunset. Out rode three beautiful horses- one starlight, one midnight, and one, surprisingly enough, sunlight on the desert sands.

Everyone froze, especially when they could finally see who was riding them. While starlight and midnight remained back, by the Wall, sunlight and its two riders continued right up to the weeping couple, the two riders jumping off the mare's back and landing easily before their parents.

"Mom! Dad!"

Niyern and Laern both wept unashamedly, embracing their two children. "Oh, Shea, you had no idea how worried we were…."

"Al, what were you thinking going off like that? Do you know what could have happened to you?!"

Al struggled away from his mother, pulling out the small bag of Aloe he had stuffed in one of his larger pockets. "Mom, this is called Aloe, and it's good to have in the kitchen for burns and stuff. Shea had to use some when making breakfast for us."

"And what an excellent breakfast it was."

Niyern and Laern forced their children behind them, glaring at the two young men they had welcomed last night and fed (even if they had been paid for it). "What did you do to our son and daughter?" Laern growled, looking ready to attack the 'twins' at a moment's notice.

Yugi shrugged, racking his brain. "Erm… made them cook for us, I suppose. I'm really a horrible cook, and Yami's even worse."

The other glared at him. "That would be because I never had to learn how."

Shea giggled, stepping out from behind her parents. From the gods or not, she and Al had become fast friends with the light and dark. "I guess you wish you learned now, hm? So you wouldn't have to eat Yugi's cooking?"

Atemu made a face, and Yugi pouted. "Hey! I'm not that bad- at least it's edible!"

It was Al's turn to pout, stepping up beside his sister. "Well sorry for never learning how to cook!"

All four laughed, then Yugi and Atemu turned around, heading back towards Levian and Astria. Mounting, Yugi nudged Astria up towards the four from the Fal Hammund family. "I hope you take good care of Lediah, you two. And don't worry- I'll ask if you can keep her, in exchange for Muyan."

Al and Shea nodded, Lediah exchanging a final few words with Astria and Levian until Yugi and Atemu turned their mounts away. Shea and Al mounted Lediah, waving energetically to the other two as they disappeared back into the Wall and greenery, the gates shutting behind them.

Niyern rounded on her eldest son and daughter, a warning in her eyes and voice. "You two will tell us exactly what happened, understood?"

Al nodded, struggling to hide a yawn. Shea imitated him, smiling down at her family. "Don't worry- let's go have some dinner first."

As the entire population of Tunaydah moved back towards the town, Shea and Al looked over their shoulders at the faint outline of the top of the complex fondly. Things were definitely going to start changing….

---

Marcus Jameson had always known what he wanted to be when he grew up. He had spent all his time with wooden and Lego blocks, building and constructing and balancing and drawing and measuring. In school he had always liked the Sciences more than any other subject, even helping to start a science club in his high school.

In University and later college, he had spent all his time in Physics labs, Art studios, building and planning- he had even helped to design and build the new wing for his old University once he graduated college with the final degrees for becoming an architect/builder. He always loved to not only design things, but to see them put into motion and practice, see them built, help to build them, see them used.

So, when he had been informed by one of his old professors that, after the incidents over in Europe and the Mid and Near East, there were a lot of job openings, he was quick to take it.

His family had ties back to Egypt, after all.

It wasn't long before his credentials caught the attention of an elder man whose large mansion just outside of Israel had recently been demolished by stray bombs from both sides of the fighting. Marcus was glad to get the job, and even gladder for both the payment- and the word-of-mouth advertising the man did for him.

Six major and thirteen minor jobs later, Marcus was well known for both his plans, and the quality of the work. It was then he caught the attention of one Isis Ishtar, head of the Egyptian Board of Antiquities and most recently the appointed Minister of Cultural Resources. Since her rise to 'power', many people in the area had heard about the Ishtar Clan- an ancient family that lived by the laws of the past, owning most of the land just outside and to the south of Giza. They were filthy rich- and Isis Ishtar's $150 000 + salary (not including all the little bonuses) did nothing to hurt the family fortune.

And so, when she had personally asked him to aid in the building of a small town with large, open-style buildings in the middle of the desert on the edge of Ishtar lands, he had immediately agreed. He would certainly make a pretty penny- and an even bigger name for himself- with this project.

So it was he came to arrive in the town of Tunaydah in the early evening, booking rooms for himself and the small crew he had brought with him. There was no need for a lot of people- for an open-air, open-concept complex, not much was needed at all except for some excellent support beams and, as they were in Egypt, some closed shelter for the occasional sandstorm that blew across.

There were three other men he was supposed to meet up with- a botanist-turned-farmer, the farmer's son who specialized in raising livestock, and an Egyptian government official to oversee everything and make sure everything was built in accordance with policy.

He found them easily enough in another inn that also served as a restaurant- they were the only other men not wearing turbans or loose, white cotton robes.

"Good evening friends! Marcus Jameson at your service!" He introduced himself, giving a slight bow at the waist.

The other three stood, holding out hands or also bowing in the case of the official. "Luke Bremmin and my son, Daniel Bremmin. This is Muhammad Al Rishni, our dear Egyptian official over-seer."

Rishni did not seem to speak English, or not that well, as he introduced himself in Arabic. Marcus nodded and introduced himself in Arabic in return, glad to have decided to try and pick some up while he was here.

As the only American around, Marcus found conversation somewhat awkward, especially as his views seemed to differ with everyone's around him. For example, while he was there for a job, the Bremmins had signed up because of an odd rivalry.

"I went to school with another man a few years older than me," Luke Bremmin told Marcus, pouring him a glass of water while Daniel poured some beer. "This man's name was Michael Devonshire- remarkable man, really. We were friends, until that cheater stole the job that had been offered to me!"

Daniel raised an eyebrow. "Mom always said that it was offered to both of you, as a team, but that you at first turned it down and Michael found someone else to work with."

Luke glared at his son, but turned back to Marcus. "Well, yes, that's true. But he had always at least tried to convince me before, and this time he didn't attempt even once! It was like he was glad to be rid of me!"

Daniel frowned at his father, but turned to Marcus, trying to steer the direction in another direction. "So, Marcus- you're the main builder and architect?"

Marcus nodded, eyeing Luke as the man took another swig of beer. "Erm… is he…?"

"Drunk? Hell yes." Daniel smiled at Marcus. "So, what kind of plans do you have for us?"

"To be honest- I'm not sure. A nice, big, open-concept layout- open-concept also meaning open to the elements- and apparently some kind of fenced-in pasture land. The only problem is- this is Egypt, not the American West, or anywhere near the Nile River. We're trying to create something out of nothing, and it's probably not going to work. If it does, we'll have our names attached to one of the greatest undertakings ever. When it doesn't, we'll at least have attached to our names that we tried to make something out of nothing and almost succeeded, and that'll be that. Plus a bit of money, of course."

"So you're only in this for fame or money?"

Marcus snorted. "Are you kidding me? That's all nice- a good way to make a living, you know. But I'm curious. First of all, why would they be building something like this in the middle of a God-forsaken desert? And why here- surely there's other places, closer to springs or Nile tributaries that they could build near to and still have privacy. What is this place going to be used for? Who's going to live there? How do they expect us to build it in such a short time? Why a circle idea? Why-"

"Wait- circle idea?" Daniel looked somewhat shocked. "We were told that we could set up our fields and pastures in whatever shape we wanted, wherever we wanted. They never mentioned anything to us about a circle."

Marcus nodded. "They didn't to me at first, either. Just recently Miss Ishtar dropped by my hotel room in Cairo to inform me that they felt a circular plan would best suit their needs. I told her that I would need to see the site first, and she agreed, but said that if I could fit a circle into my plans, it would be appreciated and rewarded."

Daniel shrugged. "Then you do a circle- we'll do a pinwheel." Marcus wasn't sure if the other young man was serious, but laughed anyways, Daniel quickly joining in.

Luke growled, looking between them. "An' what's so… funny?"

"Nothing, dad. Nothing."

"S'righ', then. I'mer gonna up ta bed." He slured his words, heaving himself from his seat and stumbling towards the door. Daniel stood up with his father, turning back to Marcus.

"We've booked in here for the night. We'll see you tomorrow morning, Marcus."

"Sure. See you on the morrow, Daniel, Mr. Bremmin."

The official, Al Rishni, escorted Marcus out of that inn, as they both, it seemed, had booked at the same inn. It was on the way back to said inn that a young girl, no more than twelve, ran into them. Al Rishni looked ready to hurt her for showing such disrespect, but Marcus held up his hand, bending down to help her back to her feet.

"You are alright?" He asked in Arabic, worriedly looking at her.

She nodded, glancing back to the dark blotch that he knew was the town stables. "What? You have to go get a horse?"

Al Rishni grabbed his arm, intending to pull him away. "Come with me, Mr. Jameson. There is no need for you to deal with these people."

Marcus wrenched his hand out of Al Rishni's grasp, crouching so he was the same height as her. "What's wrong? What's your name?"

"I- my name is Shea."

"Shea? That's a pretty name." 'Why do I have to be good with kids? I want a bed- NOW!' "Why were you running to the stables?"

She shot him a surprised look, then turned her head away. "I- I have to go see Yugi!"

She wrenched herself out of his grasp, running towards the stables. It took a moment for the name to click, but Marcus found himself running after her, Al Rishni hot on their heels. 'Yugi… Yugi… it can't be him… it just can't be!'

"Shea!" He called out, running around the corner to see her vaulting into one of the paddocks. "Do you mean Yugi Mouto?!"

Al Rishni pulled up beside him at nearly the same moment Shea reigned in her mare, looking down at him, completely shocked. "How do you know him?"

Marcus found himself trying to speak for a moment, then burst out laughing. "My dear girl, anyone who knows anything has heard of Yugi Mouto!"

Al Rishni growled behind him. "Then do I know nothing, sir?"

Jameson held up his hands, trying to quell his anger. "No, no, I didn't really mean that. Its-"

"Sir, hurry! I want to know what you mean, but I have to go get him as soon as possible. Lediah, are you able to carry them?"

Marcus was sure the wind was whispering to him as a young female voice, soothing and gentle, seemed to float around them before completely dispersing. At the same time, the Arabian mare made a few sounds that Shea translated as 'yes', before turning back to the American and Egyptian official. "Get on, quickly!"

Marcus vaulted easily to Lediah's back, and though Al Rishni had some problems, he was able to manage before Lediah took off again.

"How do you know Yugi Mouto?" Shea called over her shoulder as Lediah streaked out into the desert to the south-east, following a trail that had become so well-worn in the last few days that it was already practically a road.

Marcus noticed the 'road' as well, and the dark splotch he could barely see in the twilight that they were heading towards. "Yugi Mouto was one of the most sought-after persons when he was around. After he disappeared and was subsequently proclaimed dead, everyone began looking for any trace of him. Even people who couldn't care less about gaming or Egypt eventually heard his name, and the idea of an undefeatable strategist has become more or less an obsession of some of the world's greatest minds!"

Shea looked at him, then urged Lediah forward even faster. Al Rishni was somehow able to ask from his spot behind Marcus, "Are you sure she's Arabian? None of them could go this fast!"

"Tell them that I serve the reincarnated Pharaohs, so of course I am this fast!"

Marcus jerked, eyes widening, before wincing closed at the burning from both wind and sand.

"Lediah has been bred for certain special people, so she has to be at her best!"

'What the hell was that?' Marcus thought to himself, opening his eyes to see the dark gates ahead of him- and then complete darkness for barely a second, before they erupted into shadowed twilight, underneath a huge building with a number of extensions added to its round shape, including the glass protrusion directly above them.

Shea hopped off, Marcus and Al Rishni behind her.

"Yugi! Atemu! Where are you?!" She called, running further into the dark area beneath the glass.

Marcus and Al Rishni shrugged, following her at a run to match her speed. Into the main room they went, though Marcus didn't have time to gape- he had to follow her to three doors of the many that led off this room. On the third door they heard a muffled response, before a very familiar spiky head and a tell-tale short statured, pale body followed.

Marcus had almost been expecting to see the same wide-eyed, chubby-faced, innocent-looking teen completely decked out in tight, black leather and chains. Instead he found himself looking at a slightly more narrowed eyed, more chiselled faced, innocent-looking young man, who was wearing a white short-sleeved tunic, black woven belt, and long, white baggy pants that were bound at his ankles by black thread. On his feet (instead of the boots) were white slippers with black trim.

The conspicuous golden upside-down pyramid hung from around his neck, and a faint dusting of kohl lined his infamous amethyst eyes.

"Shea? What's wrong? Who are these people?"

Before she could speak, Al Rishni stepped forward, glaring at him. "I am the building inspector for this entire region! I have never seen this building, nor have their been any permits for it to be built!"

Yugi shrugged. "Really? Hmm… that's odd. I could have sworn Isis had arranged for it- oh! Shea! Hurry, tell me!"

Tears were streaming down her face now as silent sobs wracked her body. "My… my grandfather… he was helping in the kitchen, and accidentally some oil spilt on him, and then he got too near the old stove…."

Yugi's eyes darkened and he called back into the room something in Japanese before leading them all to one of the other doors. Entering, the King of Games directed Shea, Marcus and Al Rishni to grab certain things off certain counters (Marcus didn't know what ambrisac was, but he was more than happy to grab eight bottles of what looked like wine).

Leaving that extension, Yugi then led them to another, and Marcus found himself desperately wanting to know what was behind all the other doors. This one opened onto what could only be considered a stable for the god's creatures. Precious stones and metals, fresh buildings, fresh hay, the smell of brand new wood….

Outside, where they had apparently been headed the entire time, a whole herd of Arabian ran about, only one stallion in the whole group from what Marcus and Al Rishni could see. Yugi whistled and the single, midnight black stallion and a silver-white mare trotted over, letting Yugi swing saddle bags Marcus hadn't noticed him grabbing over their rumps.

More or less throwing everything into the two bags, he swung up onto the white one's back, nodding to Shea. "Stay here in case something else happens and you need to get word to me. I'll be back by morning."

Shea nodded, and Yugi finally actually turned his attention to the young American and elder Egyptian. Marcus felt like his very soul was being looked at and picked apart by those eyes, all his secrets and desires revealed to this being before him. Then, with a barely perceptible nod, Yugi turned Levian and Astria around, calling something in no language Marcus had ever heard before.

They were out of sight within seconds, Lediah rounding the bend they had just disappeared behind and nudging Shea's hand.

"You are such a grand mare, Lediah." Shea muttered, burying her face in the Arabian's coat. "So good, to Shift like that when we needed to."

"Of course I would. Two pain in the rump muggles don't mean anything to me!"

Shea laughed, slapping Lediah and sending her into the stables to the one long trough against the wall where a constant supply of wheat and grains was kept.

Marcus and Al Rishni followed Shea to her seat beneath one of the trees in the courtyard between them and the other, smaller buildings around the main complex. "Er, Shea…."

"You never got to finish what you were telling me about Yugi."

Suddenly, everything that Marcus had ever heard about the young Game King seemed extremely inappropriate. Although he knew nothing about medics or medical emergencies, he knew what a sewing kit, needles, and bottles of alcohol looked like. And the way he had seemed to see into his very soul….

"According to your odd American sayings," Al Rishni began, looking sideways at Marcus, "the eyes are the windows to your soul."

Shea looked up at them, smiled. "Really? That makes sense, doesn't it?"

Marcus looked down at her, weighing his words carefully. "Shea… who or what is Yugi Mouto to you?"

She shrugged, looking back at the horses, lounging about in the twilight. "He's a friend. Someone to turn to when you need something. Someone to talk to. Someone to help, and guide, and defend. And he helped us all straighten out a lot of things- like our faith and religion." At their confused looks, she gestured to the way her veil was laying about her shoulders, and how she had yet to cover her face again. Now that Marcus thought about it, he hadn't seen any woman wearing the traditional veils since he had entered Tunaydah.

"Custom and some laws say that we are to follow Allah's laws and the Way of the Prophet. But Egypt has always belonged to the gods and goddesses of the Heliopolitan Ennead, not to Allah. This place- Khemet, we call it, in honour of the Past- is sort of like a shrine to Tem and Re, Shu and Tefnut, Nut and Geb, Isis and Osiris and Nepthys and Set and Anubis and Horus, and all the others. Allah may be Allah, but all of the gods and goddesses come from the First, and the First is present in everything. Christianity and Judaism and Islam and Hinduism and Taoism all say the same thing- that there is one all powerful, the First, the Great Power, and that this power created everything. Christianity has the Holy Trinity, like Judaism and Islam; Hinduism has Brahman; Taoism has Tao. We have Tem and Nun as our First, and everything and everyone else are just extensions of the First."

Marcus coughed politely to draw Shea's attention away from Al Rishni (who looked ready to throttle her- he was a steadfast Muslim, and any mention of a generally accepted polytheistic religion being in any way similar to his Allah was enough to make him wish for a gun).

"Shea… how did Yugi Mouto help you, er… 'straighten out' your faith and religion?"

"Well… it's kind of complicated. First of all, this place used to be completely empty. For about a week there were some signs of life out here, people building and apparently blowing up things. And then, about five nights ago, there was a sandstorm and then an earthquake. In the morning, this entire complex was here, where nothing was before, and adult trees and plants and animals were all around- it was like a miracle."

"Ha! Proof of Allah!" Al Rishni chortled, but Shea shook her head, cutting him off.

"No. One of the few shrines to Re we kept in our village started to glow oddly, and none of our buildings or wells or anything else had been even slightly damaged by the sand storm."

Marcus frowned. "Okay, that's just not normal. And you say this whole thing just sort of- poofed into existence?"

Shea nodded, smiling slightly at him. "Yup. Then Yugi and Atemu came riding into town that very evening on Midnight Levian and Starlight Astria, two of the best Arabian horses we've ever seen, and since that moment, things have just been looking up."

"But it's only been- five nights? That's not long enough to accurately judge anything." Al Rishni objected, though he didn't sound as sure as he once had.

Shea shrugged. "I don't really care what you believe, but we do believe in the gods of Egypt. And Yugi and Atemu have been helping us with that- both know a lot about the proper way to honour the gods and goddesses. They provide some offerings, helped us set up proper shrines, even taught us some of the original prayers and services."

"Er- did it ever occur to you that they might just be on a power trip?"

Shea laughed long and hard at that, Marcus and Al Rishni exchanging confused looks. When she stopped, she had to pause first to wipe away the tears that had formed in her eyes. "Oh no, they are most certainly not! They are actually just here to hold this complex until the people it was built for arrive, if that's what set you off. And as for religion? They follow with the rest of us, and take every opportunity to put someone else in the spotlight. Yugi's so very shy, and Atemu refuses to stand out because that would take away from the limited amount of attention Yugi lets himself receive."

Marcus sighed, leaning back underneath the tree. "Shy, hm? That doesn't sound like the Yugi I've heard about."

Shea turned around then, eyes alight with excitement. "Really? Tell me the rest!"

Marcus laughed as Al Rishni attempted to look disinterested, although it wasn't working. "Well… oh fine, I guess I have to, hm? The Yugi Mouto I've researched grew up in Domino City, Japan. Other side of the world. Picked on, attacked, smaller and weaker than any person has a right to be at sixteen years of age…. Anyways, something happened and Seto Kaiba, CEO of the world's biggest company, Kaiba Corporation, challenged him to a duel. It wasn't an official duel, but it was broadcasted all over Japan and even in some places in America. And, FYI, Kaiba happens to be one of the world's best gamers and strategists.

"So Yugi walks in and calmly wipes the floor with Kaiba after letting it look like Kaiba was doing the same to him. Yugi then went on to win Duellist Kingdom, beating the creator of the Duel Monsters game, Maximillion Pegasus J. Crawford. Then he went on to beat Ryuji Otogi, another game creator, at his own game, then Battle City, then the Kaiba Corp Grand Championship, then took a break for a few months before easily winning a couple other prestigious tournaments. He even helped out the American Navy and Airforce once. And then- poof. He disappeared. Vanished into thin air at the ripe old age of almost-eighteen.

"There were a number of searches, all over the world. No one anywhere could find him, and people began assuming he was dead. Kaiba was supposed to be in a rage constantly, swearing that Yugi purposely killed himself so that he would never have to give up his title of 'King of Games'. So there was a memorial service, and then everyone started to research him and his life. There are even three or four biographies out there- sympathetic, accusation-filled, and everything else possible."

Marcus pulled a bottle of water out of the small backpack he carried around with him everywhere, which also included drawing utensils.

Shea stared at him, wide-eyed. He frowned at her, uncomfortable. "What?"

"Well… why was- is- he so famous?"

Marcus lowered the bottle from his lips, looking up into the quickly darkening sky. "Well- I guess it has to do with the fact that, as far as fair regulation bouts go, Yugi Mouto has never been defeated. Apparently, he has lost only three times all told- once because Kaiba threatened to throw himself over the ramparts to his death, once because he stopped the attack and could have won, had he aimed the attack again at his opponent- oh, apparently whoever lost was supposed to die, and Yugi Mouto couldn't kill his best friend. The last time isn't very well explained anywhere. The opponent, going only by Rafael, attempted to make their Duel listed as non-regulation and unfair and therefore should not be counted. When asked why, he just said that he had forced one Yugi Mouto into the Duel and that he had then forced him to essentially kill himself to stop Rafael from killing his friends. We're not sure who or what struck the final blow, but it's down as one of Yugi's only three black marks regardless."

Al Rishni snorted. "Wow- someone has only lost three games. Spectacular."

Marcus frowned at him. "It is, actually. Duel Monsters is based completely on strategy- extremely complicated strategy. I've seen a few rookie bouts- what goes on in those Duels are strategies and such a high level of thinking that it could only be explained by comparing it to two super powers fighting against each other in a war that, with the slightest mistake, could mean the decimation of the entire planet."

Both of his listeners were silent, before Al Rishni snorted again. "I still say that it's nothing to be too proud of."

"An undefeatable opponent is not something that a person wants to go up against. Governments have spent millions since then trying to recreate the exact atmosphere that formed the undisputed greatest strategist alive."

"It's a waste of money if you ask me." Al Rishni commented, looking off towards the horses again.

"Well no one asked you." Shea retorted, glaring at him. She whirled back to Marcus, grinning from ear to ear. "So- no matter how you look at it, Yugi Mouto is special?"

Marcus nodded. "If the Egyptian government found out that he was hiding out here- well, I can see why he's in hiding in the first place, now." He caught Shea's confused look and explained, "Well, to have someone undefeated on your side is always a plus. I know a lot of people that would kill without a second thought for someone like that to be on their side. The Egyptian government would undoubtably do the same- kill, or pay a ton of money in reward."

Shea nodded, thinking about it. "Then… I guess it makes sense… with all this Shifting and stuff…."

Marcus latched onto the one word that was given special emphasis. "Shifting?"

Shea nodded. "Its something to do with every person having ties to every place they've ever been and to every person they've ever talked to, and focusing hard on that tie and then something about fusing energy signatures and tangling something or other that has to do with some funny word and a kind of science…."

Al Rishni started. "Tangling? Science- you mean Entanglement in Quantum Physics?"

Shea nodded, gesturing to the Arabian horses who had started heading into the stables. "That sounds right. Arabian horses were always bred for the Pharaohs and their guards, as they were the best. Very few are still bred the same way, but all of these Arabians have been bred by an English family called the Devonshires in accordance with original ideals and patterns. That's why they are the best- they've been bred for the best."

Marcus started, recalling that rather odd snippet he had heard from that body-less voice that he was beginning to believe wasn't so body-less anymore. "..you mean the reincarnated Pharaoh, right?"

It was Shea's turn to start, and she jumped quite a distance away from the two of them. "Where did you hear about that?"

Marcus knew that Al Rishni would probably think he was insane, but since Shea had the same talent…. "I… I heard you talking to Lediah earlier, when we first got here."

Shea's eyes widened, and she sat down across from Marcus, starting him in the eye. "So… you've only heard of him in passing?"

Marcus nodded, and Shea breathed a sigh of relief. "Good. Never mention that subject again. Understood?"

Al Rishni stood up, ready to kick her. "Don't speak that way to your superiors!"

Marcus caught the intended kick, nodding. "Of course I won't- as long as you tell me a bit more about it."

"…alright."

---

Notes

(1) Alright. Frankly, I love the Slytherins. They are probably some of the most three-dimensional people in the entire series. Yes, they're evil, but they have reasons. Everyone else is just good, brave, nerds, or push-overs, and only because they belong to that House or because they're Harry's friend. If they're not, then they're evil, and there's no two ways about it.

Except for Slytherins. Draco's supposedly evil- but hey, guess what? He was raised like that (nature vs. nurture). His father's in prison, his mother's about to be murdered by the Lord his father decided to serve. What else can Draco do but everything in his power to save his family? And then, when it comes down to it, he really doesn't have the mental strength to carry through with what would save his family. He has a conscience, he has feelings, he knows right from wrong. Your mind, body, and conscience is telling you to do one thing, while your heart is telling you to do another. Unfortunately, the heart usually gets what it wants, which is where the stalemate happens.

Other Slytherins are probably like that (though I honestly don't have much idea as to their personal histories, as Rowling as been kindly skimpy on that), so I want to explore. The thing with this scene (the Slytherin clothes thing) was that I was trying to picture how someone who looks at Slytherins as mortal enemies and the evilest, worst things on Earth would react to Slytherin-related situations. Call it good, call it bad, either way it works. Heh :)

(2) This was a long chapter. I left the first ten pages on home since I forgot to transfer them onto my laptop, so I wrote 35 pages at the cottage, and added the missing ones at home. Long chapter? Hell yes.

(3) Alrightie, I'm trying to remember what I learned about Islam and whatnot from World Religions. I'm also trying to remember what I've learned about the Heliopolitan Ennead- and man, there's a lot. Apparently, if anyone was confused, the Ennead starts with Tem and has nine stages for coming from the creator and then going back to them with death. And, lesse… Tem came from Nun, and then created Shu and Tefnut, but Shu and Tefnut are actually a part of him, making them like the Christian Trinity…. And then everything else had to be all 'created by, yet a part of' so as to accept other, local gods and goddesses that weren't originally in the Ennead…. Yeah, I'm still a bit confused about it, too. Will be explained later… I hope.

(4) Yes, Tunaydah is a real town-y thing. I have recently discovered I have Google Earth on my home computer and Microsoft Streets & Trips. The stats in regards to the population are probably very off, but I was just trying to put things in perspective. Oh, Tunaydah is located essentially in the middle of the desert, in Al Wadi al Jadid province (I think). It's near the towns/cities Mut, Ismant, and Al Kharijah. I chose it because, although it is somewhat close to these other towns and villages, it's still in the middle of nowhere. And it's got a fun name.