I just realized that young Atem I described here kinda have the same personality, gentleness, and a bit of femininity like Namikaze Minato, Naruto's father. I noticed this when I was reviewing previous episodes of Naruto Shippuuden for a research paper. Can you say tough and cute? :3

As for Aya's spear below, have you watched Akatsuki no Yona/Yona of the dawn? I really like Son Hak's weapon and fighting style and took the idea from there. I love Hak too very much 3

Anyway, we're almost at the climax of Atem's (the present one) trance. Got any suggestion? Feel free to comment below or PM me

Enjoy this week's update!

-Yuhiri

Chapter 9: The Millennium Armlet

By the Nile River's banks, two horses gallop swiftly side-by-side. Dust swirl at their every stomp and the sounds of clashing metal resound as their riders strike each other, blow after blow, under the afternoon sun of Ancient Egypt.

Aya and Atem have been training for seven moons now under the tutelage of Mahad, apprentice of Aya's mother, Khaira. Their training today requires that they battle while saddled on horses using every weapon, magic, and tactic that they have.

"I read that water can solidify to what is called 'ice', Atem. It's really cool. Literally and figuratively," Aya said as she clutches the hilt of her sword and strikes Atem with one hand and the rein of the horse's bridle on the other. She was sweating in the middle of their chat – and battle.

"Really? I wish we could bring some here to Egypt. But I don't think it's going to last long," Atem replies as he deflects Aya's strikes, gritting his teeth in between words. "Even wax melts easily when exposed to the high sun, and that's just hardened water we're talking about."

The two chuckled at the idea while leaning forward and pulling their horses reins to the left. Their horses made a sharp right turn to follow the changing course of the banks. The battle – and conversation – goes on.

"There are also foreign lands that actually have this ice in powder-like form fall from their sky. The surroundings will be all white. I bet it would really look pretty, Atem," Aya said as she releases her left hand, still tightly holding her sword with her left, and kept her balance to conjure orbs to attack Atem with. The orbs, after being casted, flew swiftly to Atem's direction at once.

"It would really be nice to visit such places someday, Aya," Atem replied as he pulled the reins of his horse immediately to have it slow down and lag behind a little bit. He has successfully evaded Aya's orbs. "Let's do it once this war is over," he said with a gentle smile at Aya, then whipped the horse's reins after evading to speed it up back to his opponent's side.

Aya then withdraws her sword to bring out a one of a kind spear. It has a metal shaft which Aya now used to deflect Atem's successive retaliation. "I really want to know what's beyond Egypt, and go beyond all this sand. Promise we'll see together, Atem?"

The two grunted from the attacking and defending. The metal shaft of the weapon and Atem's sword continue to make clanging sounds. Aya's spear occasionally turns from defending to striking Atem with its bladed tip. "Sure, Aya. Promise. But let's focus on this battle first."

A several meters from where the two continues their practice combat, there waits Mahad by what seems to be a finish line for the two. Upon noticing him, the two pulled their horses' reins to command it to slow down and get ready to stop. The two looked at each other. Atem let out an accomplished smile at Aya while she replied with a cheery grin.

"Excellent battle, you two," Mahad said as the two came down from their horses with their bag of weapons. "Were you able to focus on your practice while chitchatting – again, Lady Aya?"

Aya twitched.

"It was a.. uhh.. a heated battle, I guess, Master?" she said with a nervous chuckle, her right hand raised to her head. Mahad could only sigh. Atem just let out an innocent I-told-you-so smile, his eyebrows creased.

From far away, Yami Yugi observes further at the flashbacks. He floats like a translucent ghost as the memories continue to real in.

Nightfall. Aya was yawning in her table. Several scrolls, rolled and unrolled ones rested atop it. She's been reading about magic under a lamp, and she has bundles of readings more to finish. She clutched to the sheets she wore on herself tighter as the temperature in Egypt at night drops further.

It's almost the middle of the night, and mother isn't home yet. Where could she be? She took a peak outside. The moon is almost at its highest, yet. Only she and her attendants who are already fast asleep in their quarters are at home. She decided to read a little while longer at least until her mother gets home.

After a few moments, she did not even realize that she dozed off, her head slump in an old papyrus again. She was awoken by a soft, warm kiss in the forehead.

When she had opened her eyes, her blurry vision saw a woman with golden hair tied to a bun with some locks left loose on the side of her face. She was wearing a dress fit for a noble with ornament such as gold earrings, a long necklace with precious stones of blue and green, and a golden girdle. Her gentle aquamarine eyes watched her as she rubbed her eyes to see better.

When her vision cleared up, it was her mother who had just arrived and had kissed her heads, smiling at her lovingly.

She quickly set aside locks of her hair that covered her face. "Oh, you're home mother. You've been coming home later than usual recently."

"Forgive me, Aya. There was so much work to do with training the sorcerers and guards of the Kingdom. We're also trying to develop spells to protect the kingdom better," Khaira said with an apologetic look while she was putting down her things.

"New spells? Really?" Aya's green eyes sparkled. She almost practically drooled.

"Yes, yes. I'll teach them to you once this load of work is over," Khaira said, patting Aya's blonde head gently. She then headed to her room.

Aya smiled from ear to ear while putting away the scrolls on her table, cheering new spells, news spells on her head.

"Aya," Khaira said as she plopped out of her room. "Do you want to sleep in my room tonight?"

Aya blushed. It's been a while since the two slept and talked for hours together, ever since they moved to Egypt and was given their own house. "I can, mother?"

"Of course, silly. Anytime would be fine," Khaira said with a gentle smile.

Aya agreed coyly, but ecstatically, deep inside.

By the windows, in his ghost-like form, Atem watched the mother and child on the bed.

This is Aya and her mother. Why are the Millennium Puzzle and Millennium Armlet showing me this?

The two washed their feet together and changed clothes. They then slipped to the sheets of Khaira's soft bed. The room was only illuminated by the moon. Aya's previous sleepiness and child faced each other while lying down. Khaira was on the left side of the bed, near the window, while her daughter was on the other.

Locks of golden hair flowed on the pillows and the sheets from Aya's own hair and her mother who had taken down her bun, revealing hair that reached all the way to the woman's waist.

"Aya, I have been staying late in the palace recently because I'll be off on a journey three days from now," Khaira said in a motherly way, her voice slightly hushed to fit in the quietness of the night.

"Where are you going, mother?"

"Back to the boarders between Egypt and Kush, my child, where we excavated the Millennium Spellbook – and this…"

Khaira rolled to right to reach out for the drawer near her bed. While still lying down, she slid it open and took out a golden armlet with an embossed image of the Eye of Horus. She held the bracelet above them. It sparkled in the moonlight.

Atem's eyes widened. It's Aya's Millennium Armlet!

Aya cocked her head slightly in innocence, oblivious to what the artifact is, "What is this mother?"

"This was with the Millennium Spellbook when we found it, Aya. I have never told anyone about this armlet except you, and I hope you won't yet either, until the time is right. Do you understand?"

Aya obediently nodded. She continued to listen to Khaira.

"I have yet to discover what this artifact is for, Aya. But it bears the same engraving as the Spellbook. I still haven't told anyone about this, until I know what this is armlet is for. I don't want it to fall in the wrong hands. With the expansion of the knowledge on magic in Egypt, many more are power hungry in this Kingdom."

Khaira continued. "I'm going back to the excavation site to find more answers as to what that artifact is for. But I trust you with the secrecy of this artifact, alright?"

"You can count on me, mother," Aya cheerfully said at her mother's confidence in her. She placed her left fist on her chest.

Atem stared at the artifact as it is being returned to the shadows of the drawer. I see that Aya had yet to know the powers of this armlet. So it has already been existent even before the Millennium Items did.

Khaira returned to her former position on the bed where she faced Aya.

"Mother, you're such a great sorceress now. I can clearly see that the safety of the people of Egypt now rests on your shoulders," Aya said. "I want to be just like you someday, mother!"

Her mother just smiled. "I see that your arms have become firmer and leaner too, Aya. Your movements have become twice faster than usual, too."

"W-what do you mean?" Aya said nervously. "Hard labor under the sun since our days of slavery isn't really odd enough to make my arms look brawny, mother."

"But you've gotten a bit chubbier last year since you started your princess life. Now you got your arms and figure back, and even sturdier. How's Mahad's training with you and the Prince?" Khaira asked casually.

Aya jumped at her mother's words. Guilt and shock were written all over her face. "H-how did you know, mother?!"

"I made Mahad confess over six moons ago. The maids have also told me that you were not telling them where you're going when you sneak out from them. Little did we know that you were training for combat," Khaira cocked her head a bit to ponder. "I have a feeling that the Pharaoh already knows about this, too."

Aya's face grimed. "Are you mad?" Aya said sheepishly, her gaze lowered. "Am I acting unladylike? Do I not fit to become a noble woman anymore?"

"I should be asking you that, Aya…" Khaira turned her head to the ceiling. Her eyes looked misty. "I'm training a battalion of magicians and have dominion over the warriors of Egypt, but I couldn't even teach nor train you personally anymore, my very own child. We used to have better time together when we were still slaves," she said with a sad chuckle.

She continued. "I'm grateful to Mahad for giving time to train you with the Prince, but I feel shameful that someone else is doing the responsibilities that I should be doing for my daughter. I couldn't feel less humiliated when you and the Prince were almost abducted by the enemy months ago and I couldn't even do anything for you that time (See Chapter 7)."

She looked at Aya's figure as she was illuminated by the moonlight. Her child, now 14 years old, was looking at her with her eyebrow creased. Khaira saw how Aya had grown, despite half of her body covered with sheets. Her gold, unruly hair had already grown from her shoulders to halfway down her back.

"I couldn't blame you if you decided to take up a sword," Khaira continued as she held her forehead with one hand. "It was probably because of my weakness that you had to resort to learning to protect yourself. I wouldn't call your initiative unladylike. We are in the middle of the war after all, and you had to protect yourself. It's juts… so sad that I couldn't teach you mysel—"

"It's not like that, mother!" Aya cuts her off in a brave voice before she could finish. Khaira was startled at her interjection.

"I took up a sword secretly because I want to help you, mother. The Prince and I both believed that we do not want to become a burden to the Kingdom, and that we will train to be of use to it!"

Aya continued. "I see how much you owe our lives to the Pharaoh mother, and I feel the same way. I trained and studied as hard as I can because I live up to the same convictions as you have. When I grow up, I want to be by your side, protecting Egypt with you."

Khaira's startle expression turned to a gentle smile. "Thank you Aya…" She held her child close to her chest. "What did I ever do to deserve a child like you?"

"I'm sorry Aya, and thank you," her mother said with Aya's head below her own.

Aya smiled back at her. The desert was cold at night, and Aya felt the chill in her skin, so she looped her arms around her mother's waist to feel her warm embrace.

The warmth almost lulled her to sleep when her mother suddenly let out a question out of the blue: "By the way, Aya, how are you going along with the prince? Do the two of you get along in your trainings?"

Aya raised her head to look at her mother, her left arm still hooked on her Khaira's waist. "Yes, we're good friends, mother. We get along quite well, even though he knows that I used to be a slave. He's quite effeminate though, but he's a sincere person."

Effeminate...?! The present Atem, who was listening to them, felt a vein shoot up his head when he heard Aya describe him with such a word.

Aya would have liked to share that time when he secretly took him out to fish, but she predicts that if Khaira didn't get upset about them training secretly, she is going to finally snap at that story.

"Effeminate? But he's quite a splendid young man, isn't he? He's got quite a face and a good personality, too," Khaira teasingly said. "He's still got several more years to grow up, and I know he'll become an even finer man. Even if he's not a prince, I'd still vouch for him, Aya! Have you considered taking the Pharaoh's offer for marriage to him?"

"Mother, we're both fourteen!" Aya said in a panic while slightly blushing. "Can't we save talks about marriage for later? Besides, Atem is like a girl. I bet I'm better than him with the sword!"

So this is how she really thought about me, huh?! Yami Yugi muttered, annoyance simmering inside him.

"Ohhh~ so you call him freely by his name, huh? That's how close you two are already?" Khaira piqued Aya further.

When Aya realized that her mouth slipped with Atem's name, she immediately covered her it and regretted. "T-that's not it, mother!"

"You'll be in a marriageable age very soon, Aya. We should have the engagement of the two of you announced already! This is to fend off possible bride candidates who will be after the Prince."

Her mother snickered as she continued to pester the protesting Aya.

"Like you, I also noticed that the young prince's muscles have tensed up, and his form is becoming more and more manly, Aya. Ahhh~ I remembered the first time I and your father have met! We we're also the same age as you two were. Maybe this is a sign that the two of you are meant together, Aya?"

Aya and Atem's moments at the cave and her realizations suddenly flooded in Aya's mind (See Chapter 8), making her feel more awkward; what she thought of his bare body, how strong-looking he is becoming, and how good of a person he is.

"Oh mother, please cut it out of your jesting! Atem—, I mean the prince, and I are nothing like that!" Her face was deep red and so she buried her face in her mother's chest to hide her embarrassment.

"Don't be silly, Aya! Love is a very wonderful thing! My, right now, I can just imagine you too in a simple wedding filled with love! The people of Egypt will cheer. And then you'll have lots of children and build a happy family together. Baby versions of Aya and the Prince will be running around the house, and your daughters will also get some of my looks!"

Aya got tired of protesting, sighed, and just buried her face. "It's hopeless to argue with you. I'm going to sleep now."

"Aya…"

Khaira's voice suddenly lowered down and sounded serious. Aya couldn't help but raise her head to look at her mother again.

"I just want you to know that I love you so much. You are my precious child. I hope someday that you will really find happiness. I will be with you with every step of the way and in each one of your decisions because I believe in you."

There was an enigmatic feel in her words. It sounded like a premonition, or an omen. For a while, Aya did not know how to react, but just, instead, tightened her embrace in her mother's waist and murmured softly, "I love you too, mother..."

"And I hope the Prince loves you deeply someday, too!" her mother interjected with a sinister-sounding but comical titter.

Aya's eyes narrowed. "Alright, let's go to sleep now, mother."

Atem, while watching, felt his face fluster a little bit as well.

Three days have passed, and Khaira is finally to set off to the border between Egypt and Kush. The Pharaoh, Akhenaden, Shimon, Mahad, and Aya are to send her and her chariot off. In her journey she will be with two servants and two guards for her chariots. She was also provided with gold, water, and food.

"May the gods keep you safe," the Pharaoh said at the entrance of the Palace.

"I will not return empty handed, My Pharaoh" Khaira said as she bowed, her left leg forward and her right fist on her left chest.

When she stood up, she looked at Aya earnestly. Aya just gave her a wide grin. "Just a souvenir for me, mother, okay?"

"What? You want dried human bones or something, Aya?" Khaira said as she folded her arms.

Her eyes narrowed. "Eww! Never mind, then mother."

Her mother chuckled.

"Just zip through there and come back safely, okay" Aya said earnestly in a low voice.

Khaira felt a faint enigma at her words. She saw again how big Aya had grown up, and had a faint vision of how Aya will look like two years from now. She suddenly had a strong impulse to embrace her tightly and leaned down to Aya to do so.

Aya felt the will on her mother's embrace as well. The girl was at a loss for words.

The people who watched saw the passion that time in Khaira's embrace. It's only going to be three days. Why is she giving a goodbye like this? They thought.

"Take care of yourself, my precious girl, alright? Remember that I always believe in you," Khaira whispered in Aya's ear as she held her tight.

Aya smiled, and just rubbed her mother's back a little.

When they parted from their embrace, they looked at each other deeply in the eyes. Still at a loss for words, they both smiled at each other.

With nothing else to say, Aya could only smile from ear to ear and say, "I'll be fine, mother."

Khaira stood back up and turned to the rest of the men who are sending her off. "Mahad, please take care of Aya and the palace security while I'm gone. I am confident about entrusting these to you."

"Yes, Lady Khaira," Mahad said with his right fist in his left chest.

"Shimon, Lord, Akhenaden, you've been by the Pharaoh's side for years now. Please continue to take care of him," he said to the two who both affirmed her request. Khaira then turned to King Akhenamkhanen. "My Pharaoh, I'll be off now,"

Khaira bowed again for the last time before she rode her chariot. Aya stared at the running chariot until it can no longer be seen. The girl pondered about the inscrutable feeling in her mother's embrace.

The next day, Aya and Atem continued their training under Mahad, in the same part of the Nile.

In their swordfight, Aya did not initiate a conversation in the middle of the battle today, and that surprised Atem. It almost felt odd for him. Today, Aya was very focused in landing a hit on him.

I have to train harder to meet my mother's trust and expectation. Aya thought to herself.

She was more aggressive than usual today, like a tiger after its prey. Her eyes were steely and fought with her eyes narrowed, Atem noticed. The two were sweating and huffing in their sword duel under the sun.

After several exchanges of blows, Aya found an opening to Atem. She immediately planted her feet firmly to the ground and held her sword firmly on her right hand. She then bent her knees a little to spring up to Atem, roaring and charging to his weak spot.

Just when Aya though that she'll finally be landing a clear hit, Atem immediately jumped back and deflected her attack with his sword. Aya was startled at the blocking of her attack. Atem seized the chance and exerted a sudden force from his arms to fling away Aya's sword from her hand.

Aya stared in horror at her lost weapon. She did not expect it to be flung out easily like that.

Mahad then stood up from his seat among the rocks under the tree and clapped. "Alright, today's winner is the Prince. That ends our practice today."

Aya stared at Atem momentarily and pondered, Atem acts a bit effeminate, but he really does have much strength. She balled her fists in annoyance to her weakness and clenched her teeth. I must get stronger.

"Master Mahad, can we have one more round?" Aya asked Mahad in a dead serious tone.

Mahad noticed the sting in her voice, but refused to pay much attention to it. "I'm sorry, Lady Aya. As much as I want to, your mother had left me the responsibility over the security in Egypt. I barely had enough time to squeeze for today's practice."

Aya just looked down in frustration, her fists clenched tighter.

In the middle of her whirling thoughts, she snapped out when Atem suddenly laid a warm hand on her shoulder right. With worried eyes, he asked, "'You okay, Aya?"

She finally woke up to see that she was not her usual self today. In response, she let out an awkward laugh and a half smile. "What are you talking about, Atem? I'm okay!"

Aya ushered them back to the shade of the tree. "Master, Atem, come. I've prepared lunch for us."

While Aya was unpacking their food, Mahad whispered to Atem's ear. "My Prince, it's alright. Lady Aya just probably feels uneasy about her mother who left yesterday for a journey."

"Ohh, I see" Atem expressed as she looked back at Aya. He then signaled Mahad to walk to the shade of the tree where Aya is.

"Lady Aya, I have to get back to the palace now," Mahad said when he walked over to the shade of the tree.

"Just finish a plate or two of the food I have with me before you leave, Master. I'm finally allowed to bring food that I cooked myself here because you told mother that I had been training under you," Aya said in a sarcastic smile.

Mahad and Atem jumped. "I have no choice, Lady Aya! Your mother made me confess!"

Atem smiled. He realized that Aya got back to her senses and is the usual Aya again, unlike the dead serious one a while ago.

Three days have passed since Khaira's departure. Aya stayed at home to wait for her mother, expecting her to come back on that day. She waited at her usual spot: on her study table while reading scrolls of different subjects. She had already prepared fruits on the table to welcome her mother back and she was dressed in simple clothing, not in her usual dress.

The sun is already setting, yet, only her attendants have been the only ones to pass in and out of their home made of bricks. She paused from her reading. She then gazed at the window, her elbow on the table and her hand supporting her head.

Night had fallen and she had fallen asleep on the table again, still waiting for her mother. She might just be late, she thought.

Then, morning came, yet no one had bothered to wake her up from sleeping on the table. She rubbed her eyes, then surveyed their living room. Nothing was left out of place.

Aya tried to knock on her mother's room and waited for an answer. There was none.

She then decided to open the room's door. When she did, she thought she heard her mother's voice faintly, calling out her name in her usual cheerful tone. But when she flung it wide open, there was no one in there. It was as neat and tidy as when her mother had left.

Eerie silence followed.

She momentarily became deaf. Not even the birds chirping outside could reach her ears.

Aya frowned at the sight.

Atem, who was watching from afar, also did.

That's right. She must have needed to stay in there a while longer, Aya told herself to console her feelings.

Her attendants have already prepared her bathing water and so she bathed and dressed up to head to the palace. She's going to see Atem and Mahad for their daily training.

She had already groomed herself, put on jewelry, and wore her usual clothes fit for a noble. She had also had her golden hair combed by her attendants. Its length reached to halfway down her back. It sparkled at the sunlight that intruded through the window.

Before he could clutch open the door to head outside, there was a knock.

She was able to open the door immediately as she was about to head out herself.

Standing by the door was Mahad with a serious look on his face. He had always looked serious, but he looked sullener today when she saw him at the door.

She was surprised to see Mahad come to her instead of their daily routine of Aya coming to him. But today, with him were a handful of guards.

"Master Mahad? What can I do for you?" she said, still startled at Mahad's presence in her doorstep.

With no hesitation, Mahad knelt to bow to Aya. The girl was confused at his actions.

"Master, please raise your head. You don't have to do this," Aya said in slight panic.

"Lady Aya, please prepare your heart for my news," Mahad said, his eyes hazy and his voice was quivering slightly. Melancholy was evident in his voice as well. He slowly stood up to face Aya again.

The girl listened earnestly in anticipation.

Mahad continued with his words, unable to look at Aya in the eyes. He almost choked before a syllable came out of his mouth, but he just gulped to overcome it. Then continued.

"Lady Aya, your mother had met a tragic accident on her way to the boarders. We have recovered her and her servants' bodies just this morning."

[to be continued]