FAUST - YU-GI-OH STYLE
Chapter Two: The Proposal
Although the desert wind was exceptionally chilly, it did not deter Pharaoh Atemu from reading the mountain of political proposals written in papyrus scrolls. As tiring as going through the arguments and counter-arguments of each proposal was to him, he welcomed it as a pleasant distraction from the inner dilemma that plagued him over the years.
It was already in the middle of the night but sleep had trouble visiting his worn-out body. The only company he had in his chambers were the scrolls and the candle that served as his intimate illumination. He eventually picked up his pace and worked feverishly, hoping that fatigue would eventually force his body to retire.
As the night grew deeper, the wind howled. The candle and torches in Atemu's bedchambers provided an ambiance of gloom and dread. He was too pre-occupied, however, to notice such trivial details.
In the middle of the eerie silence, the Millennium Puzzle activated.
Atemu abruptly stopped everything that he was doing. After assessing how eerie his surroundings were, overwhelming fear enveloped him. Mustering the courage within him, he balled up his fists, stood up, and looked around his bedchambers. His instincts used to be excellent when it came to sensing the unusual, but time rendered his sixth sense unused.
However, something inside Atemu was screaming the fact that he was not alone.
Garnering all the nerves within him, Atemu said in a booming voice, "Reveal yourself!"
A deeply malevolent voice hissed, "As you wish..."
Momentarily, a shadowy specter – much larger and taller than Atemu's frame – materialized from the void. The specter eventually solidified. It was more demonic in nature and from its physical manifestation, there were indications that he came from the same dark powers that the Millennium items draw upon.
Deep within him, Atemu was absolutely afraid. However, he figured that any display of weakness before this demon would spell his imminent and immediate doom. He breathed deeply - trying to maintain his composure - and demanded, "Who are you? Why are you here?"
"As of now, it is not important who I am. What is important, though, is why I am here."
The elderly Pharaoh impatiently replied, "I have no time for your games. Be gone!"
The demon - feet suspended a foot from the ground - floated towards and then circled around Atemu. As if trying to intimidate and assess his prey at the same time, the demon said, "What I offer you now is far from a game. I know that your heart yearns for another chance to live your life. Would you not want to live your life - the way that it was supposed to have been lived decades ago?"
Atemu hid his gasp of surprise. His mind swam – searching for an answer as to how the demon actually knew what his innermost feelings contained. He stood his ground and held his facade of confidence and defiance. "I do not know what you are talking about."
The entity sarcastically laughed. His malevolently deep voice resonated within the Pharaoh's bedchamber. "Surely you will deny everything. What if I tell you that I could turn back the hands of time – and much, much more?"
"Turn back the hands of time?" Atemu incredulously mumbled as he remained petrified and speechless.
Chuckling, the demon added, "I could also do much, much more than that..."
There was a long period of silence between them.
However, the demon knew what was inside Atemu's mind. All that the entity needed to do was to jerk Atemu back to reality. "No response? I guess that my proposal will have no value to you. So long, and I bid you farewell…."
A thick fog slowly formed between the demon and Atemu, the latter seeing that the entity was about to disappear into the void.
The elderly Pharaoh panicked as he saw the demon slowly disintegrating. He felt as if his only hope for getting a second lease on life was slowly dissolving as well. He eventually found his voice as he frantically cried out, "Wait! Do not go!"
The fog immediately disappeared...
The demon's already-disappearing form solidified within a second. "So you do need me after all..."
This time, the wizened ruler probingly stared at the entity. "You said that you have a proposal for me."
The demon nodded and smirked. "Yes, I do. I will give what your heart most earnestly desires first. You will have free reign to obtain and do anything that you please."
Atemu's amethyst eyes widened. "Another chance in life?" he pondered as his heart and mind raced. "By the gods, could it be possible?"
The entity - aware that he piqued the elderly monarch's interest - gave a devilishly satisfied smile. "Of course, my dear Pharaoh, you must realize that nothing comes for free."
Atemu swallowed long and hard. He clenched his teeth and braced himself. "Name your price."
"You must enter into a pact with me. The pact requires your soul and a few precious drops of your blood."
"What else do you need after that?"
"Your blood and soul are all I require. I will demand nothing more after our trade."
The elderly monarch tightly closed his eyes and deeply breathed. He then shook his head after assessing the demonic proposal. "That is too heavy a price."
The entity shook his head in disagreement, then in his most persuasive voice remarked, "Just imagine what can be accomplished if you accept this proposal. You will have another opportunity to live life knowing what you now know. Your lease in life will be extended. You will be able to rule your beloved people towards more decades of peace and prosperity - maybe even more, if you wish."
Atemu remained speechless.
The demon then scoffed, "Your blood and soul are such a paltry price to pay for such invaluable gifts."
Another moment of silence passed between them. Atemu, now folding his arms across his chest, inquired, "What happens to my soul afterwards?"
"Your soul will belong to me for eternity. My ownership of your soul starts from the day that you make the pact with me."
The Pharaoh looked down on the marbled floor. He closed his eyes and deliberated for a decision. Realizing that considering the offer, as well as the price, a hasty choice could not be made right then and there. He resignedly sighed. "I need more time to think."
With a reassuring voice, the demon replied, "There is no hurry, dear Pharaoh. I will give you time to make your choice."
The tightlipped ruler asked, "How much time do I have?"
"I will return to you two nights from now - the eve of your fiftieth birthday. Choose wisely, for your decision is irrevocable."
The elderly monarch nodded grimly in agreement, "Yes, I understand."
The demon's eyes glowed red as he hissed, "Farewell, Pharaoh Atemu. Until we see each other again…."
Thick fog formed between them once again. This time, the entity disappeared – leaving Atemu alone to deliberate what was being offered to him.
Relieved that the supernatural experience was over for now, Atemu took deep breaths. He went outside his bedroom chambers towards the balcony, approaching the marble railing and leaning against it. He then wiped off the beads of sweat that formed on his forehead while conversing with the demonic entity.
In his youth, no monster or demon was able to shake his determination or courage. However, those days were so long ago and having to face the demon tonight reminded him of how vulnerable and afraid he was.
Atemu's tired amethyst eyes scanned his homeland once again. He struggled to gain some semblance of peace within him. As much as the entire land was serenely peaceful as her citizens were sleeping soundly in their respective homes, his mind ran like clockwork.
The impact of the years that passed by so quickly for Atemu hit him like a ton of bricks. In a blink of an eye, everything before him had drastically changed... His eyes glistened as he fought back the tears.
Eventually, the tears that Atemu had held back fell continuously on his withered hands. As he clenched his fists, his tears streamed more generously down his cheeks.
Atemu's greatest fear hit him even harder: it would only be a small matter of time wherein he would join the ranks of the dead and forgotten. No one would remember the legacy he would be leaving behind, and the citizens that he had made sacrifices for would never know him for the person that he truly was.
He further shuddered as he stared at the pyramid that was meant to be his final resting place. His heart ached and his mind kept pestering his soul to accept the inevitable.
Pharaoh Atemu's Point of View
How I wish that I could tell everyone that I lived a good life. If I do so, though, the gods would be my witness on how I cover up that lie with a facade of happiness and contentment.
That is, if there would be anyone who would care to listen to my story - someone who would listen because of my true worth as a person, and not because I am the Pharaoh...
As I drew in a deep breath, one question came to mind: what should I do?
If that demon merely asked for my blood, I would be more than willing to give it to him at that moment. If it was my very life, I would have driven the cursed dagger against my flesh and end this dismal existence if it meant another chance for me to start life anew.
The entity asked for something much more precious than blood: my soul. What would happen if I should die while bound to a demonic contract? If my soul would belong to him...should I choose to make the pact, how would my soul reach the Afterlife?
By the gods, I thought that I would do anything just to achieve a fleeting moment of life. I have already sacrificed so much for Egypt and my people. Why do I have to make another sacrifice – and such a hefty one, to boot?
Are all my personal sacrifices not enough so that the gift that this demon offers me now could simply be given freely?
Yes, my heart may have said earlier that I would give up anything. Never in a million years, however, did I want to give up my soul. Why did it the demon have to ask for something so priceless? Once I make my decision – no matter what it would be – I could never take it back. Starting from the day that I make my decision, I have to bear all its consequences.
What if I do accept the cursed pact? What possibilities and opportunities would open up for me should I choose to give up my soul?
Why, I could be young again….
Such joy would it be to run, or even simply breathe air with the vibrancy of youth. Long have I missed those days that I could conduct affairs with such spontaneity and energy, and without having to worry what part of my body would ache the days after. For the first time in many years, I would be able to look into my reflection at the Nile without lamenting what time had cruelly taken away from me.
Oh, and the thought of regaining the splendor of a young physique, and not worry about aging another day...
With youth, I could fall in love with someone and have a family. Why was I so foolish as to not let a special someone enter into my life in my younger years? I never experienced the joy of loving someone with all my heart and soul, and to be loved back in return. I do not even know if I am capable of loving someone on that level right now.
Should I choose to accept this pact, I have another opportunity to live life - this time to its fullest extent. For many years, I have placed my country and my people before my own well-being. My mind could not even fathom the possibilities that would open up for me, once I say yes.
Maybe the gods have heard my prayers, after all. Maybe this demon might be the answer to what ails my heart and soul. However, did the gods sent this demon to test my spiritual fortitude? Will the gods send me to my damnation, should I choose to accept the pact?
Oh, Ra, what must I do? Is this demon a gift or a curse sent for me? Am I ready to give up something as precious as my very soul?
General Point-of-View
Still undecided, Atemu looked at the starry sky for an answer. When that failed, he slowly looked down. As he lamentably stared at his wrinkled hands, he resignedly sighed and quietly went inside his bedchambers. His heart was much heavier than it was before.
Throughout Atemu's restless sleep, the shadowy figure of the demon hovered over him...the latter making sure that the Pharaoh's inner demons would not give him peace for another night.
Normal Disclaimer:
Yu-Gi-Oh is the copyrighted property of Kazuki Takahashi. Faust belongs to Goethe, Marlowe, and all others who currently own the rights to this literary piece.
This fanfic, however, belongs to me.
To the reader: this fanfic is for entertainment purposes only. The author is therefore released from any liability resulting from the material contained within.
