Chapter 3
"You can't be serious" Atem said. He couldn't believe what Shadi told him.
"It's true. We're going to send a guard to investigate" Karim said with his arms crossed as he looked down at the map. It was a magical map, one created by the magicians of the mortal plane. It was like a window of sorts, but it also reminded you of a mirror. On its surface was a picture of the Eternal Forest. Deer skipped through the forest happily. An Owl with large yellow and black eyes stared back through the table. Ruins, cracked and forgotten, dotted the landscape. The birds sang a song of summer.
It's so peaceful. Atem thought to himself. The trees have forgotten the pain of the war it would seem.
"We wanted to make sure you and Mana were protected. Both of you are very important to your respective realms" Shadi said in concurrence with Karim.
"And to make sure this one doesn't try anything funny" Karim told Atem while pointing at Mana".
The Dark Magician Girl narrowed her eyes in return, but before she could respond to Karim Atem spoke up.
"Very well Shadi. We will leave tomorrow" Atem said calmly.
Shadi and Karim exited the room. Mana started to follow, but Atem called her back.
"You" Atem said.
The magician turned and narrowed her gaze. "What do you want" she asked, clearly annoyed.
"I need to lay down some ground rules-"
"You don't tell me what I can and can't do mortal" she cut him off. "If you think I will listen to someone like you you're gravely mistaken".
Atem stood. "I am the pharaoh of this realm. You are in my realm. You do listen to what I say. You aren't in a position to make threats" he spat back.
"I'm made a statement." She smirked mockingly at Atem "If I threatened you, you'd piss your pants"
Atem returned her smirk with a cool gaze. "If you're going to act like this during the mission, we're both going to die. You will listen to me, or I will make you myself".
Mana turned her back to him and started to walk away. "Good luck trying" she said calmly.
Once she had left, Atem sighed and sat back down and rubbed his temples.
Why did I ever agree to this? He thought miserably. She's unbearable. Her arrogance is sickening. I need guidance. Atem paused his thoughts.
I need a sage.
Atem stood, and began the long process of walking up to the top of the palace. It seemed as though the winding stairs would never end. He passed palace guards, dressed in gold clad. He even saw Shadi in his study, transcribing texts from the ancients. Once he reached the roof, his memory recalled him to his moment with Yugi.
"I scared Daddy"
Atem shivered. He turned away from the railing and walked to the other side of the roof. The Egyptian moon shined down upon Kiaro as well as his back. He saw thousands of stars, forming constellations and providing wonder to his people.
He walked down a small flight of outdoors stairs and entered a large pavilion. In the pavilion was a tree. It's bark was charred black. It's long branches reached out like fingers attempting to grab onto the night sky. On its trunk was a small hole that emitted an eerie blue light. The grass around it glowed green. Fireflies flew around it, adding spotless of yellow light to the area. It was a beautiful sight. Beside the tree was a golden pot supported on a stand. Under it, an orange fire that was always burning.
The Silent Tree Atem thought to himself. He walked up to the tree, and felt a general sense of serenity pass over him. He reached for his knife, and shaved off a small piece of the bark. He dropped the bark into the pot. A few moments later a large amount of clear white smoke began to be emitted. Atem looked up at the stars and inhaled the incense. He mind went blank. His shoulders relaxed. The sky around him darkened a little. He saw a streak of blue light cutting across the sky like a ribbon. The light then expanded and began to look like more of a river in its texture. At the base of the river a shape slowly formed.
Atem watched, dazed, as a tiger formed. It was a holo tiger. Its outline and stripes were all that were visible, along with its face.
Great Sage Atem spoke through his mind. Please give me guidance in this troubled time.
Pharaoh the sage said in a male voice. It was a little raspy, and sounded like a whisper.
I must be strong Atem responded. I need you help.
Sometimes you are strong. Sometimes you are weak. Sometimes you breath easy. Sometimes you are stifled. Sometimes you lead. Sometimes you follow. Sometimes you destroy. And sometimes you are destroyed. The sage said robotically.
No. I need answers, not some riddle! Atem fumed mentally. It made no difference. The sage slowly disappeared until the night sky returned to darkness splotched with stars. The incense had burned out.
Atem looked down at his hands. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes.
Sometimes you lead. Atem saw himself at the front of his army. He was on horseback, his white stallion. He led the charge against the monsters. Screams. Blood from monsters and men alike.
Sometimes you breath easy.
Atem flashed back to when Yugi was merely 2 years old. He was playing in his crib, laughing and cooing at the ceiling of the palace. There was a fire going. Atem was chuckling at the sight.
Sometimes you destroy.
Atem saw himself standing over the Monster city of Kaon. There was a purple fire that was consuming the entire city. He heard monsters screaming. Mother dragons trying to fly their children to safety. Soon the city was nothing but ash, and his men marched through it in the name of the Pharaoh.
Sometimes you are destroyed.
Atem was in a cave. He was on the ground. Karim was fending off an unknown enemy. The rest of his guard lay dead, their eyes glassy. Atem looked up to see her standing over him. Mana, who raised her staff and pointed it at the Pharaoh with a cold expression on her face.
Atem's eyes shot open. He was shivering, despite it being 70 degrees. He clenched his fist. She's going to be the death of me. He thought to himself. I must be willing to do anything.
Atem wished it didn't come to that point. In his heart however, he knew his wish wouldn't be granted.