Link – I'm a bit of a fast updater, but I think I'm gonna have to cut back. School comes first, blah blah and all that weird stuff, heehee. I'm glad you'll stick; we're just getting to the good stuff! C:
Wernie – I'm happy you like it and yay, another sticker. Stick…ler? Nah. Sticker, heehee. Thank you so much for the review!
Unknown Person – Thanks, it's just getting better. C: My third sticker! Yay!
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Chapter XIII: Halt the Time, Trigger Spastic Insanity
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His lips were beautiful, amazing, and had the lingering taste of grapes as if this beautiful light had indulged on the finest wine. We'd been kissing one moment, so frustrated by our own thoughts and I cursed how meager of time we'd spent together. So long ago had it felt since the last time we truly looked each other in the eye…so long ago since those beautiful Amethyst orbs, deeper than time itself and as holy as the gods, drifted to my direction as did mine to his delectable form.
This young boy, this light whom I've come to adore after years of admiration, had long ago become the reason of my entire existence. The richest beer in all of Egypt was he, one taste lingering long enough at the tips of tongue to last an eternity, despite being unaware to this anonymous substance. Once revealed and reveled in all holiness, this light, this beer became the bane to temperance.
And as the brim of those lips reached mine, taste lingering at the tip of my tongue, I knew I long suffered from the sin of gluttony. He, my beautiful light, was mine—ready to devour and squeal under the sheathed wrath hidden under the thin linen cloth of my loins; what lusted to make this boy succumb in pure ecstasy and at my doing. He was mine.
At least…I assumed he was mine.
My little light pulled away, the hue of his magenta-stained orbs gravely flickering, internal battle visible in his vision as the slow defeat became inevitable.
"Little one," I muttered, troubled by everything that had happened. Had I been more aware of my aggression it would have made a better impact toward the fact that…that…he was not mine. He belonged to my best friend alone. Yet…the trouble sensed in his eyes, the sudden opening of our empathy link… I held back the greatly wanted cringe as his injuries became mine and caught my breath. "Yugi!"
His garbled murmurings distracted him. Petite, slender fingers clasped onto ebony locks and he wavered back and forth with…with the intention of never appearing ever again. Before I had the chance to stop him, he clenched a deathful hand to the Millennium Pendant, the ominous glow of his troubles still raw in my mind as he disappeared.
No.
"NO!" I refused to let him leave me again! I refused to allow him to succumb to these memories, to face this himself and shove anyone who decided to help him away… Oh, Yugi…my beautiful, gorgeous Yugi… Clasping a hand to the Millennium Pendant, all thoughts focused on my light; the enigma yet to be solved yet drove my determination.
With a faint glow my room vanished before me and in my place was the tomb known as my soul room. So ominous so…so unneeded. I cursed myself, almost distracted fully in my flurry of concern as I almost fell in one of the traps. Later I would have to redecorate, but not now. Instead I jolted for the passageway; the one that connected halls from my room to my light and the beautiful door that separated us.
"Halt."
"And if I refuse?" A growl escaped my lips, looking to the grave, deathly, and demonic Skull who dared refuse my entry. Eyes narrowing, all sight fell to him, the… Summoned Skull. He had been a ka ripped away long ago from a grave digger with the intent of stealing from my great grandfather's tomb. This was no time to argue. I clutched the pendant tightly as it glimmered. "Do understand that if you do not allow me entry I shall blast you into the next Millennia, death demon!"
For a moment all he did was stare at me, a mixture of contemplation and amusement mixing in that beastly mask before he allowed me a passage. I was not one to fall for tomfoolery, nor would I tolerate those who dared frustrate me when their very imaged screamed for castration.
"Yugi!" I hissed, demanding for all of the doors to be rearranged and allow me in the room where he resided. As my eyes laid on him, the very soul of my heart broke in two and never would I be able to erase the sudden, pale image of Yugi. He was not an established spirit! He escaped validity…being only him, the sincere form known only as my light and…commonly, Nice Atemu.
The sweaty mess, disheveled and troubled with tears streaming down his swollen cheeks and sobs choking from his lips was not how I wanted to remember my Yugi. I did not want the last image of my light being one of suffering. He did not deserve this. By the great soothsayer, Isis, he was far too young for death by…by this!
At my fearsome rage he stood erect, the same sadistic moisture dripping at the creases of his gorgeous violet eyes as he ran for my form. "Yami, aitai yo…Hitori ni shinaide...Yami..."
The beating in my chest stopped. For a moment I felt the tender warmth and wary concern as the ringing his foreign language…all that had stuck was that one little word…that…Yami. Whoever he may be, he was the reason behind all of this insanity. I looked to him, collapsing behind me as Yugi buried his head into my chest. Whoever this Yami seemed to be…that was who my light insisted I was.
I looked to the various spirits whom lurked about the pendant. Black Magician, the true leader out of all of them watched in pure horror and utter surprise, as if his ward's sudden outburst was unexpected. 'Twas…'twas not like his normal reaction; calm and placid to Yugi's episodes. Instead this was deliberate, absolutely concerned and ultimately…this was not a normal response.
My eyes widened, reacting to the quiet plead reigning in violet orbs as I pulled him closer.
"Kimi no koto wasureta boku wo yurusite. Mou kimi kara hanarenai kara. Boku no soba ni itte. Boku no koto kirawanaide." Though the words tingled at my torso, I had little to no idea what they meant. Such a beautiful language spoken by my light, such a delicate entity at his tongue…yet it caused him so much suffering.
"Shh. 'Tis alright, my light." Slowly did I rock him back and forth, creating the bind between us as I curled an arm behind his neck. I closed my eyes, resting him gently on my lap as his sobs worsened. "Do not fret, little one. Rest assure; I am here to stay."
His tears softened, wet against the tunic at my chest. "Arigatou," he mumbled into my chest. "Arigatou…"
I watched till the very end, seeing through as he finally drifted into slumber, yet did not let my mind linger. Despite the weariness felt, my eyes only studied this lithe form. So pale…so fragile. My mind drifted back to the theory concocted by Priest Shada. 'Twas the best we've come up with; of his existence. If it were proof enough, wherever he reigned had a language of true beauty.
The last word hammered at my head. A foreign word, originating further than even Nubian. "Ari…gatou," I quietly muttered.
"It means thank you."
"Ah." I hid the surprise tumbling my stomach as I held Yugi closer and looked to the cheerful eyes of his Black Magician Girl. A small smile slipped across my features, having the need to blink twice in assurance that this was indeed Black Magician's consort and not Mana herself. "I assume this means you desire your charge?"
"Oh, no. I love him and all…" She grinned daringly, hands nestled at her hips and softly laughed. "But I'm sure you would rather continue to sit there and make sure he gets out of whatever funk he's in okay."
Despite my calm nod and demeanor, I felt myself succumb to the red radiating through my cheeks. "Who is the Yami of which he speaks?"
Her enthusiasm faded as she drifted back into Black Magician's arms. "I don't suppose you were so confused by the sudden language that you didn't pick up on his words."
"Nonsense," I grumbled as my eyes scanned the room. This had been the third time I ever appeared in this room, second had I barged in. Like the occurrence before I knew the halls were made of nothing but doors, one more enigmatic than the last. One truly could have gotten lost in such a place like this had they not been prepared. "He…mumbled it in his sleep once."
My eyes fell to the many jigsaw puzzle pieces scrambled across the floor. They themselves were so blunt in color, so blinding that thrice did I have to blink away the small dots from my eyes. So many shades, so many different purposes. My spare hand grazed the light, eerie green piece sitting beside me before erratically tossing it in the middle of the room. It brimmed with an evil ka.
Kuriboh, the spirit representation of my light's ka picked it up between what I assumed was his teeth before tossing it in a mound of blue puzzle pieces. As Black Magician Girl began to explain the identity of the one who haunted my light, my fingers intrinsically wrapped around a spare pink piece sprawled near Yugi's lap. It clicked together easily with another hovering at my thigh and I dryly pondered if the reason my light was so petite was because he had little space to share.
"Yami," she whispered quietly, "is our second master."
"Your second master." I looked to her, eyebrow cocked, but was utterly blown away by the nostalgia teeming in her eyes. She smiled gently, arm wrapped delicately around Black Magician as both of the small children climbed his shoulders. "Even the overbearing skull that guards the door?"
"Yes," Maha…his magician held back a reminiscent chuckle. "At times the 'overbearing skull' of which you speak would often be a signature of his."
I looked to the oversized leech that was larger than I, and how immediately it tackled the form of Kuriboh. With a vivid shudder I pushed away the curious thought asking why on earth they wouldn't seem like a couple. Certainly with some as intimate as them would have mated long ago.
Black Magician Girl watched my reaction steadily, smile set across her lips. "The Great Master cherished all of his companions, from the smallest critter to the great…beast thing." She visibly shivered, gesturing to the 'beast' that'd gone unnoticed in my panic sleeping in the corner.
"Yami is the one who taught Master Yugi all he knows." The young child with a sword twice his side burst into light laughter; carefree and blissful, but his eyes held great knowledge. The Silent Swordsman. An underlying coat of emotions far beyond his years was visible in those eyes. He swayed the sword freely, burying his baby-like head into the chest of his surrogate father.
"I promise you this is no coincidence that he mistook you for the Master." Black Magician sighed warily, hand softly stroking the hair of a tired Silent Magician. "He holds both of you with high regard, you see."
Yugi's quiet murmurings caught my ear. He fell into a clutter of whimpers, unconsciously reaching out for something he misplaced. Immediately his fingers tied to my kilt and tunic before he pressed me tight. "Boku no kawaii ou-sama…"
With a wry smile I stroked his hair. We'd known each other so long, suffering through the burns of the other and looking back at the ashes that made us the people we were today. The embers from only a short while ago were left flickering under the darkness and here we now lay, in the soot of our mistakes smudged and relived. He was my little one as I was his little pharaoh. He was my light.
My fingers unconsciously ran across another puzzle piece sitting far at my right. "You once told me I was the trigger to his Ra-forsaken memories. His attack…was this also my doing?"
At the silence all I could do was look up, peering into the hesitant, anguished eyes of the head guardian. Black Magician's eyes fell to his charge and he closed his eyes. "Perhaps you also act as a counteraction. We, my Pharaoh, don't even know the full effects to this. Every little one of your touches, every small whim causes him to suffer, yet just now you've shown us you are also the key to stopping them."
I nodded slowly, running a hand through the charcoal tresses of hair. Beautiful Yugi, adorable light. "And…is it possible that to him, I may one day rise and become a figure of significance such as his Yami?"
They were startled by this query. Not a moment too soon, Kuriboh rid himself of the leech and appeared at my side, nuzzling safely at Yugi's chest and implying both forgiveness and an apology. Black Magician chuckled softly, one hand tangled in the tresses of his sleeping adopted son and the other hugging the cautious Silent Swordsman closer. "One day, Pharaoh Atemu, you will be all he ever thinks about."
I smiled. "Will he be alright?"
"Yes…you seem to have calmed him down, my pharaoh. He certainly will be okay."
littleone.
At the moment this was either some cruel sick nightmare or the sweetest dream I've come to ever have in my sixteen years born on the sands of Egypt. 'Twas hard to believe…well, anything, truth be told. So much had happened in the spur of time we've known each other yet alone in one night. He was no longer just the lingering spirit who, as he said, "veiled" me from the troubles afar. 'Twas all related to the Millennium Items; everything about him was related to the Millennium Items.
The first night where we met as two naïve persons concerned only for the other residing in their space to our second meeting, where our intentions were revealed was all on its own enough to sweep one into pure ecstasy. Following the riveting dream had been our downfall, cast in the Nile our awareness, ultimately our common sense, as we blinded ourselves in our own worries and sunk into the slums. Yet…here he was now, vulnerable and cradled in my bed as he slumbered.
It was…astounding. Years ago, long before I inherited the Millennium Pendant, I would have never believed that the petite figure under me was what I would seal my fate with. I smiled, brushing the tresses of blond bangs away from his eyes. His lips laced wearily against my arm, suddenly taking in a large breath before burying himself further in my body.
As I watched the bliss mixing into his demeanor, I questioned if he had ever had such plentiful sleep before. I myself yawned, resisting the urge to rub the drear out of my wake and risk rousing him from slumber. It was a rare anomaly to ever see him so vulnerable, so content.
The night before all we had done was talk, deriving information of what the other knew. And…never had I been so joyful of being wrong. He was not angry at me for small kisses, nor was he courting Mana.
Despite the fact Ra was gleaming in the desert peaks, Yugi shivered, digging further in my form. Funny, too, considering how he himself was so warm. A chuckle escaped my lips and though hesitant, I knew I had to leave him and start my duties.
Running a hand through my hair, I tucked the little light under three sheets and in return, he pulled the large pillow I had slept on, absorbing the last of warmth from the night before.
It was nice not having to wake up and finding him gone.
There was no lingering adventure, strange mysteries, nor real trouble. It was hard in our little time together, to find even the feeblest amount of time to bond. He mumbled petty words, squirms and whimpers as my name was melded together with…Yami's.
In an instant I was by his side, softly stroking his hair and running a hand up and down his back. According to his caretakers, even they could not predict the next spasm, it was possible for him to start one at any moment.
It was my fault. A frown settled across my lips and I slowly leaned over, kissing the pale forehead of this harmless being. 'Twas no one's fault but mine if he suffered more than usual, yet at the same time it was I who mollified his tortured mind unless he insisted on locking himself away and enduring it all his own.
"And that, my little light," I whispered, "will never happen again."
He was never to leave my sight; leave my premises. My hand urged for the Pendant so loose against his chest that it took up the space near his ear. With a small smile I both blessed and cursed it for bringing me the dove with injured wings.
A creature with such beauty, yet handicapped by its own injuries and unable to soar. Now that we had come to an understanding, it would never again happen. I would be there and offer a shoulder for his frustrations and we would face this.
Together.
He would fly and I would help him break free. With another fervent kiss to his hair I urged to leave, only to realize in my own stupidity that his little evil fingers latched onto my wrist tightly, refusing to let me go.
"Yugi," I mused. "You have to let go now."
"D…wanna…"
"I am a very busy pharaoh with many things to do, Yugi." I laughed softly, lightly tugging at my arm, but his clinch would only tighten. Wryly I questioned how one would ever mock the strength of this determined young boy with a domineering grip that rivaled even my strongest guard. "You may bed me later."
At that suggestion his entire grip lessened, fading into nothing but pure, lifeless sand as it disappeared under various sheets. Delightful, amethyst orbs appeared from my pillow, cheeks imprinted with the indents of my pendant. Red flourished across his cheeks and for a moment I was swept in the erotic image of his disheveled figure.
Finally the sunlight gleamed against his skin, sweat perfectly matting all locks in his hair. Throughout our little dispute he shed of his outer garb, appearing only in the thin black tunic that framed his small body.
Against the heat his kilt (or 'pants' as he insisted on calling them) clung tightly to his small legs and his lavish bottom. Back and forth he gently rocked, mouth ajar as red rose to all parts of his white skin, breath heavy as he himself contemplated something.
I licked my lips, consuming the exotic image enough to tear away from my incomprehensible thoughts. Through his soft, intense pants, Yugi smiled, small fingers picking at the metal of his so-called choker, pinching and rubbing intently against my erection. Taunting me.
"I don't suppose," he lowly murmured, eyes beaming to my form, "you would mind if I took a bath?"
"Go ahead," echoed my voice in my ears.
I consumed the rest of his form under tormenting sunlight and tore away, quickly shoving the thoughts aside and cursed the red insisting to permeate across my cheeks. Searching my chest for spare clothes, I slowly shed the clothes from the night before and shuddered. 'Twas not like me to get so…flustered after watching him. The image itself was so…lewd…wanton…I needed badly to relieve my erection. As I shed my kilt I paused at the thought. The last time I'd had another concubine was before Teana. Certainly I did not feel the need for another; especially if it may result in pregnancy. My eyes landed on it for a moment before pushing it aside and redressing.
"A-Atemu…?" he squeaked.
"Yes, little one?" I looked to him, watching as the humid frustration quickly disappeared, replaced with mortification. His face grew hotter, no doubt from one of his blushes, but I'd yet to do anything that would stimulate him. Had I? Pushing that thought aside I laid an extra garment in his lap and pressed a hand to his thigh. He flinched, eyes never leaving mine as he crossed his legs and leaned back like a small child. "For now I would prefer you wear my clothes."
"O-Oh…" He quietly murmured. Again, pink spread to the tips of his ears and he struggled for a smile. "You were always a bit of a neatfreak."
"'Tis an understatement." I arched an eyebrow, grinning against his claim as I pushed myself away and adorned all of my jewels and crown. "After months of yelling at Mana, she finally crumbled under my demands and actually requested to have the same dress made twenty times."
"S'not like you gave her another choice." He smiled, shivering as he held the clothes close in his grip. "But you have to admit, she put up a good fight."
"She is the one person outside of my court who I will ever allow to beat me like a monkey." I snorted, rolling my eyes and rubbing the remnants of a bruise she gave me when we were younger.
As I rubbed the kohl against my eyes he shared a short giggle. "And me?"
"What about you?" I flashed a look of concern, suddenly frowning at the question.
Yugi coyly grinned and fiddled with a loose thread in my clothes. "I'm a peasant, too, aren't I?"
"Nonsense." I appeared at his side, smile looping my lips as I cupped his delicate face. "You are my light. You are my little one." You are mine.
His eyes adorably widened; astonished and confounded by my words. Avid red glowed against his cheeks as I gently kissed him. He quietly squirmed and we parted a foot away as I slipped on my sandals and appeared by the door.
"Atemu…"
I grinned. "As I told you plenty times while you insisted on bedding me; I have various duties to perform as the pharaoh. Sleep. Rest. Bathe. Eat. I will inform my priests and surely you know your way around the palace well enough." I smirked. "After all, the naughty young light has sneaked out a few more times than none."
With the trace of lust and ardent fluster still visible in those stunning orbs I shut the door and left him to his thoughts. Heat radiated through my cheeks as I ran all of the playful teasing through my head. Running a hand through my hair I seethed, eyes shut to the throbbing of my erection.
My hand fell to the clasp that bound my cock in position and quickly rid of the thing that would be my downfall. Had I remembered my reaction would slip from pure intrigue with his being to his lustrous body ready to devour, I would have been better prepared. My thoughts drifted to his disheveled form and back to the day, long before my 'wife' caused me problems before we separated.
Bare, Yugi was in my body, naively covering what I most wanted to consume. He was convinced I needed my rest, while I declared my loyalty to him. The coy blush across those honey cheeks had never looked so…so sensual and hot in my body as his large eyes flickered with determination.
I reached my peak, diving into a spasm as I imagined him under me…pure white, apple skin flushed with the desert heat with his loud, melodic moans of my name.
A sigh of relief left my lips. I cleaned myself up (taking a moment to curse that I'd changed before relieving myself) and, because I did not hear from the other side, I assumed he was busying himself in a bath. For a moment the erotica lingered, taking in the fresh scent of the room mixed with the odor of both my light and I. It…was different. It had been a long while since I left something as that to the concubines or pleasure slaves. Then again, Yugi was not like Teana.
And…unlike Teana, I truly wanted to court him.
Once thoughts were pushed aside, I redressed myself, red persistent at my cheeks once I finally left through the halls. I truly wanted to have him as my own—mind, body, and soul. The night before when I busied myself with the irritating puzzles of his memory, I caught interest in the world he was in. Even though I'd asked Teana of her past, never had I been as interested in it as I was with Yugi.
And stranger, after my epiphany, I realized how far this interest had surfaced. It…was different how he turned my thoughts into blistering nonsense when all I truly meant to do was compliment him. Before, I was aware of wanting to deserve his affection and have it all my own. It was no lie. Throughout the entire flurry of stress I'd been so upset about the chance he had feelings for another and…again, it was happening.
I was actually becoming a bumbling buffoon in fear of rejection.
I was a pharaoh. Rarely did someone as I get rejection. With a high snort and swelling cheeks, I felt my pride quietly sink as I solely made it to the kitchen. My eyes fell to Mahado and the warmth in his smile as I sat down.
"Good morning, my pharaoh."
"Good morning, Black Magician. I—I mean…," My eyes widened, the unintended slip drifting back, and bit back a groan. "My apologies. What I meant to say was your name, my priest."
He arched an eyebrow, concerned, but quite amused, and he truly did resemble the man I spoke to only a night ago. "You seem to have slept well."
"Most of my troubles have been resolved and the one who I hadn't seen in days slept with me last night. I would say sleeping well is an understatement." I lightly grinned, ordering the slave for meat and bread. As I turned back there was a visible flicker in Mahado's eyes.
A strained smile strewed across his lips and he offered an apple. "I suppose that means Mana slept well."
Anger shrouded my content. A small growl escaped my lips, last night's actions before my little light coming to mind. I'd been frustrated by Seth's sudden interruption, but as soon as word reached me of Mana's almost death and defiling, I ordered all of Enu and his minions to be executed by the most torturous death known in my palace.
She was far too innocent, despite that demonic mischievous streak, to be manhandled as she was. Had it been me following her as she plucked flowers, I'd done the same. Though…it was different, I was willing to admit, as my eyes wandered to the bandages wrapped around Mahado's knuckles.
It was far from Mahado's nature to resort to immediate violence rather than self defense. Even with the furthest depths of rivalry he held in my court, choosing aggression over pacifism was unlike him. My thoughts wandered to my light's guardian, Black Magician. Despite the obvious languidness visible after his years in the afterlife of his choosing, even he at times seemed to have chosen nobility over hostility.
Any frustration he was ever met with was dealt with a sharp tongue and sarcastic wit. Any time he lost the placidness of his tone…came with one, Yugi, or… "Mahado," I found myself barking only seconds later. Arching an eyebrow, I narrowly looked to the idiot who I wanted to slap. "You know out of any consolation Mana seeks, I would be third, yes?"
Startled by my sudden outburst, he looked onward, regaining the demeanor of apathy and a kind smile. "Why, whatever do you mean?"
"If Mana were to seek comfort from anyone, I would be third, Yugi would be second and you, my friend," I snorted, cursing the fact I hadn't seen it before, "would be the first."
Red stained his cheeks now, so taken aback by my sudden declaration that I was sure even his mind was sputtering. "Why…my pharaoh…"
"Don't 'my pharaoh' me," I said so shrewdly I felt as if I were his mother, "out of all the years we've known each other, you've let me press the idea of courting Isis in your brain when truly your soul and heart desired our best friend. Had I not been the pharaoh you would surely now appear at Mana's doorstep and seek her hand in marriage! Tell me something, silly priest of mine; do you regard my position over your head more than our friendship?"
"I…I…" His dark eyes froze, narrowing only to my form with shock brimming. With a sigh, he closed his eyes, the glow of his cheeks resurfacing. "Even as a friend, my pharaoh…"
"No. You regard Seth's friendship as well, but if he were pining for Mana's affections—Ra forbid—you would obliterate him in a heartbeat." I smirked, watching as once again my favorite priest darkened and crossed my arms. "Court her, Mahado. While you still have the time and the chance before someone else proposes. By Ma'at, I promise you that neither I nor does my light plan any time soon to propose. She is free and—so I have heard from reliable sources—anticipates your next word."
"…thank you, my pharaoh." Mahado quietly chuckled, one hand to the hair hidden under the cloak that sheathed his hair. In an instant, he reddened and looked away for further discretion.
"What? I don't suppose you've already found trouble with this relationship?" I frowned, daring him to find one fault in something he'd yet to create.
"She wanted to sleep with me."
"Ah."
"Yes." He looked at me, stern and disapproving of the action, yet at the same time quite regretful. "Do understand 'tis deemed inappropriate for both student and teacher to be seen together involved in such…lewd actions."
I arched an eyebrow, intent on unraveling this mystery. "So you refused to bed her because you think you are too old."
"No! My Pharoah!" He sighed, obviously frustrated by the new matter. "At the time, Yugi and Mana shared a bed. I've seen neither hair nor trace of them all morning."
"He now resides in my room." I crossed my arms, thanking the servant for my meal and immediately consuming the pork. "Whatever frustration had bothered him is now the least of his worries and I assure you, Yugi is fine."
"Ah." He turned his head to the entrance, smile laced across his lips. "Speak of the Devil."
Turning my head, I immediately felt the sharp pain in my neck. Silverware slipped from my fingers and I clutched it firmly against Egyptian air. Grimacing, another jolt shot through that same spot and soon a headache that was…certainly not mine. I looked to him, my light, and my heart stopped.
His beautiful skin was horridly pale, blinding those as it gleamed under the sunlight. His hair was disheveled, original clothes following in suit as they clung to his scrawny form, but the worst was his eyes. Nothing. There was no gorgeous shimmer, no shy glance, but blank magenta orbs filled with defeat.
I stood from my seat, ignoring the tinkering pain and rushed by his faltering side, Mahado right behind me. "Little one?"
"Yugi?" Mahado pressed a hand to my light's head, but failed to find a fever. "Yugi, are you alright?"
My eyes fell to the second shock from laying eyes on him. The jewel I bestowed late last night was gone, instead replaced by some green amulet he must have found in one of Mana's jewelry boxes. "Yugi," I urged quietly as he leaned into both of our arms. "Yugi, where is the Millennium Pen—"
"Mou hitori…no boku…"
I halted, remembering the words from the night before. Roughly, they translated into…the Other Me, but the last time he spoke in the other language, he suffered from deliri—
"Mahado," I hissed, grabbing my light before he could do any harm. "You must find the Millennium Pendant—you must find where it was tossed, where he had put it, and—"
"Doushite kimi wa boku o uragitta no, mou hitori no boku…" In an instant the limp form of my light was replaced by another; one so aggressive, thrashing about and flailing, tears streaming down his face as he strongly shoved me aside. "DOUSHITE?!"
I was knocked to the ground, arm first as he screeched. Eyes widening, I disregarded the collision and stood back up, at his side. "Yugi! It will be alright, little one!" Again I pulled him into an embrace, murmuring soothing words to lull him, but there was no avail. "Yugi, please, Yugi!"
He wasn't listening. Before I knew it, the eerie green gem laced around his neck violently glowed and his fist harshly collided into my stomach. "Boku o sawaruna!"
I seethed into the injury, the impact unexpected. Looking up, another thing had changed in him. His eyes rid of their blankness, but were replaced with a distorted purple, glimmering violently with a hue so disturbing little children would scream in terror. At the center of his forehead, where the lone bang once resided was an eerie green mark...an emblem…
"A seal," I whispered. 'Twas a curse! Someone had cursed him while he was not in my eye!
Yugi abruptly stopped from his tantrum, eyes flickering again and for a moment I readily accepted that this was all a joke he'd planned with Mana. I was wrong. He shrieked again, tears in his eyes as he backed away, so anxiously slow before dashing off in another direction.
"Yugi!" I rushed after him, ignoring the pain in my stomach and cursed the enormous size of this palace. Through the Mind Link, I reminded myself. Yugi, please, I am your friend! You must let me help you! You must calm down!
Kimi wa Boku o uragitta...boku o uragitta...boku o uragitta… KIMI WA BOKU WO URAGITTA!
I clenched my teeth, cringing at the pain in his tone and surveyed the area. Where was he?! Why was it near impossible for me to find my light? To hold him…comfort him in his hour of need… "Yugi!"
"Black Magician Girl!"
In an instant I turned to the name, surprised to see that although he'd punched me, he was running to Mana. In a fit of sobs, he collided with her form, hugging her closely and trembling.
"Mana," I called. Startled, she looked up, both hands rubbing his back in order to comfort him, but with no avail. "He is not feeling well! He is under a spell!"
"What?" She gasped in surprise, pulling away from Yugi for a quick moment to examine him. Before I had the chance to explain myself, her eyes had widened and entire face paled. "No…"
"Do you know what spell it is?" I slowed my pace, steadily walking up behind them to—
"Iie!" He shrieked, pushing Mana behind him and tensely stood before me. "Mou kanojo o kiztsuke wa sasenai!"
"Yugi, no! You're not well!" She clutched his arm tightly, one hand wound around his neck to sedate him.
"Doushite ooku no hito o kizutsukeru no…" He shivered at the touch, again narrowing his eyes at me. Immediately glaring, the eerie light once again flashed between his eyes and I fell back, helpless at the power of the seal. "DOUSHITE BOKU O URAGITTA NO?!"
"Yugi!" I shouted. Pain hammered my head, pulsing so erratically and violently that I was ready to succumb right there and then; be defeated. But I could not. Whatever he suffered, whoever cursed him with that horrid seal needed to pay. I rushed forward, hurrying to wrap my arms around his body and find Mahado, wherever he disappeared off to and if he had found my pendant.
I never had the chance. From the tips of his feet pulsed the same, sickeningly green light and jutted outward until it was the same eclipse imprinted on his head. With a horrible force I bounced into the wall and for a moment all I heard was the loud crack in my elbow. With a shriek I landed on my head with the impact affecting my vision.
"Atemu!" Mana ran to my side and held me tightly. "Are you okay?"
"I will be fine," I choked through the blood dripping into my eye. The crown had been bluntly shoved into my forehead and already could I feel myself yet again surrendering to the pain. "He, on the other hand—"
"Kanojo o ubatta," Yugi breathed. His eyes widened, watching between both Mana and I as he continued to tremble. "Kimi wa mou boku kara kanojo o ubatta!" He ran.
"Yugi!" I stood up to run after him and was denied by the haunting aching from his earlier punch.
"Atemu no!" Mana pulled me down, hand rummaging for her glaive as she muttered curses under her breath. "Yugi…he isn't safe…that…that thing on his head…it…he'll…"
"Spit it out!"
"It's the Seal of Orichalcos!" She caught her breathe, slinging one of my arms around her neck before helping me across the hall. "I…I read it in one of my text books, it was some big cult-thingy somewhere down in the Atlantic and to them, their Gods granted them all the power in the world if they turned to it."
"What are you saying?" I grimaced, feeling the pain dart up my spine.
"It was used on battle grounds in order to rip away the opponent's humanity and self being and everything…like your Games, but ten times tougher and completely different." Mana's voice trailed off and she brought us both to a halt near a window. "And…if…if I'm right, it was banned because it was an evil magic, but…but it derived from…"
"From what?" I coaxed her, silently cursing my vision as it began to escape with the pounding of an irrational head injury catching up.
Mana whimpered, eyebrows furrowed as she curled her fingers around the glaive. "It derives from a person's fears, their inner lust…their greatest desire, Atemu! Something didn't get Yugi, Yugi did that to himself! Whatever drove him wild and brought out that negative energy, it was all him!"
I caught my breath. We had to save him. "We have to save him!" I pushed away from the wall, rushing through my delirium and jutting for whatever hall—any hall that I was convinced would bring me closer to him. What could have possibly driven him to insanity?
"Ishizu-san! Ishizu-san!" His voice harshly screeched in my ears. I whirled around, catching sight of my priestess and light as he broke down yet again. "Kono basho wa ittai nan nano? Doushite boku tachi wa koko ni iru no?"
"I…Yugi…" Isis's eyes narrowed in concern as she brushed away the excess hair across his forehead. They widened, mouth agape as she looked to me, alarmed. Orichalcos. "My Pharaoh!"
"Pharaoh," repeated my light. "Pharaoh…" He stiffened, turning to face me with sheer fear shining in his orbs. "Konaide!"
The seal glowed against his forehead, emitting yet another forceful attack. Isis yelped, clutching her Millennium Necklace tight as the same circle from before appeared at his feet.
A blinding flash of light illuminated through the halls and I closed my eyes, suddenly feeling the arms of my priestess wrap around me. "Where is your Millennium Pendant?" she hissed.
"I gave it to him so he would not suffer," I explained. Had I have it, I would have been protected from the other form of magic. As we looked back, Yugi's entire appearance changed.
Fury flickered in his distorted-colored orbs, his jacket discarded and lingering behind him as if it were one of my capes. Something appeared at his arm, a mechanism similar to what we used for Games, but of a different material. "Hitori ni shitette itta hazu datta," he whispered quietly. "Shikashi boku wa, ko no saki zutto kimi no kage ni kakurete kurushimanakutewaikenai. Boku wa kimi to kimi no aku ga shinu made tatakaou!"
I caught my breath. Yami. He had uttered the name, Yami. This was not a curse; he was suffering from a memory.
"What is the language of which he speaks?" murmured Isis.
"The one of where he reigns." Where did he reign? Was it possible it was from the Atlantis, just like the origin of Orichalcos? No… he could not have…those from Atlantis for the last three centuries have been shunned and ignored. They were enemies. Surely the Millennium Pendant would not have trusted him. I winced, feeling the pain shoot through my bad hand and resisted the urge to cry out.
Isis gently clasped it, murmuring words to sooth my wound and helped me up. "You should not be here without the protection of your pendant, my pharaoh."
"'tis a bit too late now, don't you think?" I grimly smiled, wiping away the blood caked at my forehead.
Yugi growled, eyes narrowing at all of us. In his spare hand was a deck of red playing cards. His eyes icily glimmered, narrowing at me in particular before he placed one on his sophisticated device. "Kimi wa boku ni uso o tsuite, boku wo uragitta. Saitei da yo, mou hitori no boku!"
In a gleam of light, followed by the eerie green radiating through the tips of his feet, a new form appeared. No…it…he could not be…that was not…it…it was not possible…
"Atemu!"
"Mana!" Isis hissed, turning away from me a quick moment and shielding the girl. My best friend curled beside me, eyes as wide as mine as fear trembled through her body.
"Black Magician…," she whispered. And she was right. There stood Black Magician, Yugi's guardian, high and mighty, and protective. For some reason he had found a way to summon ka without directly owning one of the Millennium Items. Mana darted for him, tearing away from my grasp and trudging forward. "Black Magician! You have to help Yugi! He's…he's!"
"Mana, get down!" Isis darted forward, ultimately dragging for me as well, but halted. "Oh, spirits…"
The Seal rested ominously on the head of Black Magician. This was not the guardian of Yugi. There was no love, no amusement as he watched us with pure bliss and nostalgia, but the utter instinct to destroy any who tread his path. He was Yugi's pawn. A smirk appeared across Black Magician's face, the hue of his eyes morphing just as Yugi's had.
"Black burning!" The words cut through my blood coldly as another rush of adrenaline spliced through the air. I caught my breath, watching as Yugi directed his hand toward me—but through Mana.
She halted from where she was, eyes widening at the soft, sadistic sniggers left Black Magician's lips, practically spitting, Bye, bye, my little Magician… Nausea pulsed through my veins, lurching all blood and churning insignificantly as he raised his staff, directing it straight to his once apprentice. No… he could not.
"Don't you even dare!" I hissed, running forward but my feet stopped me. In an instant there was violent blinking, shifting back and forth, shimmering so frighteningly that I thought I'd seen death. Smoke dusted across the entire room and as it disappeared, two figures stood: Black Magician and Illusion Magican.
I looked over, behind the form of a frozen Isis and watched as Mahado angrily stomped forward, nimbly lacing the Millennium Pendant around my neck before gruffly pulling his apprentice aside and looking to his doppelganger standing precariously on the other side of the field.
For a moment Yugi snapped out of his daze, eyes narrowing to Mana and mixing with turmoil and shock. "Black…Magician Girl…Black Magician…"
"She is not the Black Magician Girl of which you speak." Mahado coldly muttered. His eyes fell to the seal at Yugi's forehead and widened. "Orichalcos!"
Isis appeared by his side, clutching her necklace as Yugi continued his internal battle. "We must find a way to stop it before he gets out of control."
"Gets?! He practically mutilated me!" Mana squeaked horribly, running to my side and picking up my injured body. "That seal is the devil!"
"Doushite boku no majisyan ga futari iru no? Kore wa, ittai, dou iu koto na no?" The mechanism on Yugi's arm disappeared, cards following in suit. Only Black Magician remained, eying Mahado with such distaste before twirling around and watching his master suffer. Yugi trembled, pressing his back against the wall as tears fluttered to his eyes. "Yami wa teki da…boku o kurushimeta hito hazu datta…"
His cynical orbs looked to me, full of fear and confusion.
I clutched the pendant with my good hand, reluctant that it restored some of my energy and healed the bruise on my stomach before stepping forward. I shrugged away Mahado's surprise, brushing him off and looked to my light. "Little one…please…we must help you." Please.
Yami wa teki da. Yami wa teki da. Yami wa teki da…
Yami. He was the cause of this. But I had been the trigger, yet…what this morning could have possibly stimulated these thoughts? He whimpered, looking fearfully at me as the Black Magician came to his side in protection.
"Ano kaado o tsukawanaitte yakusokushitanda," he whispered painfully. His eyes landed on mine, eyebrows furrowed as again he deteriorated in nothing but his own sobs. "Kimi ga yakusokushitanda yo, mou hitori no boku!"
"'Tis alright," I murmured. I looked to the ominous seal pressed to his Black Magician's head, and then to him; his fragile form that screamed for isolation. "Yell at me, my little one. Tell me all that frustrates you; all that I have done to misguide your trust. I, Yami, am truly at fault for this seal."
Yugi shivered, clasping arms tight around himself as he shivered behind him. Black Magician disappeared slowly and that small gleam of his magenta eyes was soon returning. "Yami…kowai yo."
"I know," I muttered. "I know." I reached out to touch his head, the burning seal singing at the tips of my fingers as I pushed away the locks of hair. "'Tis quite alright, little one. You may do as you wish to me…but please, calm down."
He caught his breath, crumbling at that simple touch. Tears fluttered through his eyes and he pushed himself up, steadily guiding himself to my form.
BAM.
"YUGI!" I growled, immediately catching my light's body as he fell into my arms, unconscious. I looked to the one who caused this and my anger hiked higher. "That was completely unnecessary!"
"You did not say I couldn't hit him." Seth appeared from his hidden spot, Millennium Rod high in his hands. His eyes widened as I flipped my light, cradling him gently as he struggled for breath. "Orichalcos."
"Close," I hissed angrily, gently setting him to the ground and holding him tight. A large bump appeared from where Seth had struck him and I gently caressed it. He shivered, writhing closer into my form as tears seeped through the creases of his lids. Despite the fact I was ready to hang my cousin, hitting Yugi on the head and causing him to fall unconscious was the best way to keep him from destroying the palace. "He suffers from a memory of the seal. 'Twas triggered."
"Will he be alright?" Mana crouched over me, biting her lip gently as she offered a kiss to his cheek.
"If he is able to ride it out, then yes." I nodded slowly and looked the pendant. My eyes caught sight of my priests, realization dawning on me. "Last time I was able to counteract his headache by visiting his soul room. That is what I must do."
Seth frowned. "Is the lack of blood flow from your forehead affecting your train of thought? Orichalcos is a powerful seal, cousin. If it managed to affect your spirit such as this, you may end up losing yourself in this—"
"Move both of our bodies to either my room or the infirmary and tend to whatever wounds are found. Once he has calmed down and the seal is gone, rest assured. Understood?" I looked to all of them and back to my shivering light. The pendant delicately shook against my chest and I softly kissed him before summoning myself to the corridors of my soul room.
He would not face this alone. Never again.
littleone.
His door was beaten and broken once I crossed the hall. It lay in scattered pieces, littered across his first room as I clutched the pendant tighter. Take me to Yugi, I demanded. Take me to wherever his spirit lay and allow me to console him. I rushed through the next door, victoriously making my way to the petite light curled in the corner of his room. Around him lay all of the figurines collected from his time residing in the pendant and I carefully stepped over him to reach the form.
"Yugi!" I yelled. I wrapped an arm around his body, pulling him closer as his cries became louder. "Oh, Yugi…my little one…Please, please…Are you alright?"
"Boku…," he whispered, and I caught my breath. "BOKU O SAWARUNA!"
He shoved me away as he did the first time, writhing and clasping a hand to some doll. Eyes widening I fell back and over all of the carvings. Two of them activated, summoning themselves and my heart sunk. Black Magician and Black Magician Girl, two, duplicate smiles spread across their lips with the seal heavy on their foreheads.
"You lied to Yugi…Nameless Pharaoh…," hummed Black Magician Girl. "You said you would protect him…Nameless Pharaoh…"
Black Magician sniggered, staff sprawled out in front of him. "A worthless Pharaoh who deserves to die!"
"What on earth…" I grumbled, scrambling away from both figures as they raised their glaives.
Kuriboh was summoned, eyes to my form and Orichalcos glowing proudly on his forehead. Had it not been at such a bad time I would have actually found it cute. He growled, eyes narrowed and daring I say another word.
"You," hissed Black Magician as he stepped forward, "promised that you would protect him. You declared that even if you never got your memories back you would stay by Yugi's side. You looked at him, thinking that he was the one who taught you to be good. You manipulated him. You went against his orders!"
"What on earth are you talking about?" I stood up, rubbing my injured elbow before that one little word came to mind. This was a memory. All of it; all of it was a memory. I looked around frantically for the puzzle pieces that fit together for this horrible nightmare. Where was it?! Where on earth was it?!
Black Magician Girl halted me. She jabbed her staff into my stomach, eyes narrowed and for a moment feigning innocence. "You said you would protect me, Yami." She choked on the words again and shrugged them off. "You said that you would protect all of the duel monsters."
"In the end you are nothing but a pharaoh who doesn't even know his name!" The grin across Black Magician's face widened and he shoved his glaive into my rib. I let out a cry of pain, falling to the floor and seething. This was not like them. Orichalcos had not only affected Yugi's memories, but his soul as well!
My fingers landed on an odd puzzle piece and I shivered at the contact. It icily illuminated with venomous green light. With a troubled breath I looked back to my light…his injured, fearful form. This was the memory triggered, yet it was barely complete. He hadn't even started it. I ducked another blow from Black Magician Girl.
"You used Yugi!" She laughed softly, bitterly as she yet again blocked me from a puzzle piece. "You promised him, Master, you would keep him safe from all harm and yet you can't even protect your heart from the forces of evil! How can you assume you were such a great Pharaoh back then if you can't even win at a simple card game?"
"He is the one who showed me how to be the Pharaoh I am now!" I stole the other green piece from under her, and then scrambled for another in the pile opposite to this side of the room. "He is the one who taught me that unless you directly tackled your fears, you were to forever succumb to them! You know nothing of my rule!"
"Oh, really?" Black Magician shoved me into a wall. "We know nothing? You know nothing of us! You never tried to understand us; you decided to isolate yourself and where does that get you? Friendless. No one knows your name. Not even us—your best friends!"
I halted. They were right. Where ever Yugi reigned from, he also acquired the ka of both of my best friends and it would be long before Mana and Mahado were to pass away. He was not from our time line, as Shada had pointed out. What if…sometime after today, I did something horribly wrong? What if I made a decision that would affect my position as pharaoh?
A sudden crackling interrupted my thoughts. I looked up and faced the devilish heathen from before, Summoned Skull. He wrapped an arm around me protectively and the rest of the figurines; Silent Magician, Silent Swordsman, the Obnoxious Celtic Guardian, and the fluffy leech appeared at my side without a hint of Orichalcos.
"Why are you not possessed?" I muttered.
"We weren't around at the time," he replied simply.
"Mama Black Magician Girl and Papa Black Magician are…" Silent Magician whimpered, one hand clasped around his glaive. Silent Swordsman pulled him into a hug and nodded.
"I know, kid. I know." He turned to me, eyes narrowing straight into my soul. "Finish the puzzle. That's the only way you can get them all to calm down."
I nodded, looking at all of the pieces I'd gathered in my hands. They…seemed about enough. They should have been the right pieces. I collapsed and onto the spare floor where the first piece lay and began working its enigma.
"You were a horrible Pharaoh!"
"No one remembers your name! You are the only pharaoh, so shameful and horrible that no one remembers you!"
Cursing, I urged for the puzzle to go faster. Through the corners of my eyes I saw Summoned Skull clutching Black Magician tightly as the full grown Swordsman and Magician fended off his consort. My heart pressed heavily against my chest and I pushed the last piece I had found in. It was not complete. I looked at it again, eyes widening in search for the missing green piece. It was not complete!
High and low I searched, but there was no sign of it. Yugi's whimpering caught my attention. As I turned to him, the last, beautifully horrible puzzle piece was strewn between his fingers. "Yugi! You must give that to me!"
He shivered again, curling into his fear and looking away.
I rushed toward him, resisting all urge to cradle him now and tell him it was alright. It would have done no good—he was already too scared for anything. "Please," I whispered. "Please give me that piece."
"Kimi wa boku wo uragitta….kimi wa boku wo uragitta…kimi wa boku wo uragitta…"
"No, Yugi…it will be alright, I promise." I pulled him into my lap, hugging him tight as the tears began to slip through my own eyes. This was not right. Whatever his horrid memory was, whatever it had done and how Yami was involved…it was not natural. I missed my light's smile, missed his giggles and I wanted him to be alright. He meant no harm, so why had harm to him? Why could I not at least look like his Yami to sooth him? "Please, Yugi…"
He whimpered, restlessly trying to pull away but I wouldn't let him. Finally he stopped, eyes catching my own as the seal wavered back and forth. Yugi slipped from my grasp, slowly crawling over to the puzzle set in the middle. His eyes fell to mine, lingering with the strange hue of violet as that last piece fit perfectly in the hole. "A…temu…"
Everything stopped.
The pulsing in my head disappeared and the fever I swore I was facing had vanished. Along with all of that vanished the ominous glow of Orichalcos. Black Magician and Black Magician Girl's maniacal demeanors disappeared, along with the innocent Kuriboh. Silent Magician reappeared as a toddler, running to his surrogate mother's side and finding comfort in her arms.
Everything was changing. I picked myself up, going back to where Yugi lay. He sat erect, staring only at the puzzle with a contemplative demeanor. I caught the tear shimmering at his eyes and waited; anticipated. His eyes fluttered closed, small whimper escaping his lips before he fell forward into my arms.
My eyes drifted to the memory I was one piece away from completing and…I was utterly disgusted. The memory itself flashed through my eyes, of how Orichalcos had been used, how Yami demanded it, shoving aside Yugi's concern as if he meant nothing; treating him like nothing but…but a host. I studied Yami, the evil gleam flickering in his eyes and his entire demeanor, but once the memory was complete, sealed with Yugi going as far as sacrificing his life for his darkness, Yami was gone. I could not recall his face.
"He is horrible," I growled. Cradling Yugi tighter, I had no intention of ever letting him ever go back to that beast. "Why would Yugi allow someone like him harbor in his body?! Why would he break down, become so comfortable with this traitor and give him his everything?!"
"Because he loved him." I turned around, eyes falling to Black Magician as he sympathetically bowed and tenderly lay a kiss upon Yugi's forehead. His expression dropped quickly, guilt visible. "I am truly sorry of what you had to go through for him."
"I would do anything for him." My eyes narrowed, back to the memory. No matter how many times I played it through my head, I was unable to truly remember what this Yami looked like. "I would do more than this scum. Why…why would he love him?"
"Love is the one thing on this planet that cannot be judged, my pharaoh." Black Magician crouched over me, eyes narrowing warily before he pitied me a smile. "It had just happened. This is one of Yugi's more…horrid memories."
"What he did in the hallway was no memory," I muttered. He had been thinking of me as Yami. All of them were blinded by this memory, distracted and unable to control themselves and I was the one who was dubbed as Yugi's other love.
"The Seal of Orichalcos played a crucial role in his relationship, and his memories. Do not think lightly of it, and trust me when I say your anger is rightfully placed." Black Magician rested a hand on my shoulder and frowned. "What you saw out there was what he truly felt from when Yami activated the Seal of Orichalcos, Pharaoh. That was his fear, his anger. He felt betrayed by him after they strictly agreed on not using that card, and also the fact Yami had broken up their partnership."
"Why would he keep strong feelings such as those hidden?" I kissed my light's hand softly as he curled deeper into bliss and slumber.
"'Tis the type of person he is." Black Magician chuckled sadly. "Yugi would rather suffer from his greatest fears than watch others around him crumble all because of a silly grudge. He looks at the highlights of friendships, knowing the happiness cherished is far greater than imploding sadness."
He'd done the same thing to me.
My eyes widened, looking at the mysterious boy I'd fallen for. I'd been blinded by my own bliss; my own happiness that I overlooked his own. He was never asked if he wanted kisses. Never had I queried if he would allow me to bed him. Every day he would smile at me, flustered and…surely hesitant. And I'd been the trigger.
That memory would have been the last in his mind if I hadn't seduced him this morning. I…every touch. Every kiss. I blinked away the small dots and stood up, slipping Yugi from my lap as the Millennium Pendant gently glowed.
"Pharaoh Atemu! Surely, you would like to stay just a bit…"
"No." I had to go. Everything was my fault. He would be a blissful spirit, tackling these memories one day at a time had I not forced him out of hiding. With a violent flash my surroundings of his soul room disappeared and I awoke beside him, elbow wrapped and forehead bandaged.
I could not be around my light. I could not be around the one who I caused so much suffering, not from confusion, but simply…simply because I could make him explode at any moment. My hand reached to pull the sheets over his shivering form, but my hesitation stopped me.
No touching. It…it wasn't as if I was able to do anything I want with him anymore. My fingers grazed the Millennium Pendant, each groove more rugged than the last between my skin, yet so graceful and exquisite. I set it down beside him, slowly running all the thoughts through my head.
I was the trigger. I'd been the one who caused him all of the troubles, all because I wanted him and now it was impossible to touch him without sending him into a violent panic.
"My Pharaoh! You're awake!"
"Mahado," I whispered. I couldn't be around him. I was the trigger. I…I couldn't be around someone I loved if I made him suffer. "Set a course for Abydos. I want to leave first thing."
"What?" Mahado's eyes widened. He frowned, eyes narrowing at my form. "My Pharaoh…you couldn't possibly leave without Yug—"
"No. I want to go now." Alone.
--
Author's Note:
Bah, I said we were only in part one, and…well, we're still in part one. Still a handful of chapters away before we're completely done with it, but this certainly is a long story. My eyes hurt just from staring at it, man. Well…the Japanese, honestly, needed to be in there to establish what Yugi's hallucinations could be seen as through Atemu's perspective. Unfortunately, I suspect that it's horribly butchered thanks to this site and some…strange auto-editing. Well, Imma post the meanings and stuff anyway if you're so curious. The prelude (first part of this chapter) is just the horribly butchered version of Yugi's hallucinations in the last chapter.
Doushite kimi ha boku o uragitta no, mou hitori no boku. Doushite? – Why did you betray me, Other Me? Why?
Sawaruna! – Don't touch me!
Boku o uragitta...boku o uragitta...boku o uragitta… KIMI WA BOKU WO URAGITTA! – You betrayed me…you betrayed me…you betrayed me…
Iie! Mou kanojo o kizutsuke wa sasenai – No! I won't let you hurt her again!
Doushite ooku no hito o kizutsukeruno? Doushite boku o uragitta no? – Why did you hurt so many people? Why did you betray me?
Kanojo o ubatta. – You took her away from me.
Kimi wa mou kanojo o boku kara ubatta – You have already taken her away from me!
Kono basho wa ittai nan nano? doushite boku tachi wa koko ni iru no? – What is this place? Why are we here?
Konaide – Don't come any closer!
Hitori ni shitette itta hazu datta – I told you to leave me alone.
Shikashi boku wa, ko no saki zutto kimi no kage ni kakurete kurushimanakutewaikenai. Boku wa kimi to kimi no aku ga shinu made tatakaou! - But if I have to suffer in your shadow for the rest of eternity, Yami, I will battle you until you and your evil die!
Kimi wa boku ni uso o tsuite, boku wo uragitta. Saiteida yo, mou hitori no boku! - You lied to me. You betrayed me. You...you're the worst, Other Me!
Boku no majisyan ga futari iru no? kore wa, ittai, dou iu koto na no?...?! – Why are there two of my magicians? What's going on…what's happening?!
Yami wa teki da. Boku o kurushimeta hito hazu datta.- Yami is the enemy…he is the one who made me suffer, isn't he?
Yami wa teki da . Yami wa teki da . Yami wa teki da . – Yami is the enemy. Yami is the enemy. Yami is the enemy.
Ano kaado o tsukawanaitte yakusokushitanda. Yakusokushitanda yo, mou hitori no boku!. – You promised me that you wouldn't use that card. You promised me, Other Me!
Yami…kowai yo. – Yami… I'm scared.
Well…that took up a lot of room. Anyway; thank you so much! We're up to fourteen reviews for the last chapter and hey, we broke the 100k mark! Yay! …Please review? C:
EDIT: This chapter was redited/revised to fix the Japanese up there. I could have never have done it without Azurelle, who volunteered to retranslate it for me and I am forever grateful. :D Thank you very much!