:Ugh, my arms are so sore. I had to sit all pretty and proper for two days straight and my arms were bent the entire time, agh. Anyway, this chapter is of the long awaited play, and one reviewer said he had never heard of the red nile. Well, there's a good reason for that. The Red Nile is a play I made up, I created it all on my own. It might resemble some other kind of play, but hey all plays are somewhat alike, right? This wasn't hard to plan out, and I hope you enjoy it!:
It was utter chaos within the dressing room. Crowded around the area were students, their bodies covered in Egyptian clothing, their faces outlined with makeup and sweat from running around. Students stood around, helping one another with zipping up and adjusting costumes, others helped with make up and brushing their hair. They were all flushed in the cheeks, sweat rolling down their faces as they panicked and dashed among the area.
How many more minutes until it was time? Mai looked around, walking into the dressing room and nearly getting ran over by a running student. She yelled for them to stop running and be wary of the costume they wore, that student in particular wore a long dress, resembling Khu's costume only less royal looking in a way. She was supposed to be a friend of the main female role, but with her running around like that she would look like a servant of Khu.
Mai sighed, placing a hand to her forehead and shaking her head. Calm down, she told herself. It's only because it's opening night, they always get like this. She took a deep breath, looking to a small group of girls huddling around one of the stars of the show, she smiled to herself before she thought for a moment. Did they have enough hairspray for him?
Yugi grimaced as the girls pulled at his hair with the brush, they were rushing and it was causing him to get a small headache. Sure, it would go away but it still hurt! He knew why they were so rough today, they needed to get done quickly so that they could get ready. He let out a soft yelp as one tug almost took off his entire scalp.
"Oh, sorry!" The girl called out, feeling horrible for hurting him. Yugi rose a hand to his head and smiled at her, shaking his head in response.
"It's fine." He chuckled. "Be a little more gentle, please?" The girl nodded, the other girls around him gathering materials to make it so his hair, once brushed, would stay like that.
Hairspray, Yugi wanted to gag already. No matter how many times he told them he didn't need much, they would use at least an entire can on his dang head. He would smell of weird chemicals for weeks. He looked down, seeing his attire and moving his foot along the floor. He wasn't nervous, but...He looked up, unconsciously looking for a certain royal before his line of sight was blocked by two girls coming toward him with a makeup kit. Oh no.
They approached him, smiling and grabbing a nearby stool, the item almost being knocked over as three students rushed past with them. One of the girls, a girl with a head of yellow, glared at them, the other one with brown hair simply shook her head and sat down on the stool. The blond girl held open the makeup kit, the other sitting in front so she could work.
"Let's see..." She pondered in front of him, tilting Yugi's head up a little to get a closer look at it. The girls behind him glared at the girls in front, didn't they know that they had to spray him?!
The brown headed girl shook her head, not knowing what to do. Yugi was vaguely concerned before the other one asked what was wrong.
"It's just..." She smiled at him, letting out a small chuckle. "He's already pretty, does he need makeup?" Yugi allowed a bit of red to spill over his cheeks, the red combined with embarrassment and a small hint of anger. Guys usually don't like being called pretty.
The blond girl pouted and looked behind her, her eyes beginning to shine before she began to yell out; "Your highness, do you mind coming over here!"
Atemu turned away from his own group of people, they had been placing some kind of blush on him to make his face look more smooth. Although, they had commented that they didn't need to...He rose an eyebrow at them in question, but shrugged his shoulders before he left his people and went over to the girl.
He stood next to her, crossing his arms over his bare torso, thank Ra it wasn't cold in the dressing room...
"Do you think we should put makeup on him?" Atemu trailed his eyes to Yugi, his face lighting up as he looked over him. No matter how many times he saw him in that outfit, he still couldn't get over the fact that it looked so good on him. It was natural on the small teen.
It gripped his figure, it showed off enough skin to be just the right amount of teasing to drive a man insane, it mixed with the color of his skin, making him shine in the light, it made him stunning, it made him beautiful, it made him...Atemu had to restrain his thoughts, but...It made him look like the sun, a bright sun that could change anyone's mood.
He looked over Yugi again, barely noticing how the teen's eyes began to look away and his cheeks started to flush an even deeper kind of red. The royal felt his own cheeks begin to burn hotter, he took his time looking over Yugi's outfit. Ra, help me. He thought, feeling sweat on the back of his neck.
Finally, he looked to the part where he was supposed to look. His face. He stepped past the girl on the stool, kneeling down in front of Yugi.
Yugi's breath caught in his throat, Atemu was in front of him, so close to him. And he had just eyed him up as if he were some kind of masterpiece. He felt himself blush harder at his own thoughts. He shuffled against the gaze of the royal, who just stared at him.
The girls behind him had stopped brushing his hair long ago, now they were trying to see what kind of hairspray to use, giving Yugi the ability to turn his head to the side. He did this as he closed his eyes, wanting to escape the look Atemu was giving him.
Look at me, Atemu thought. Show me those beautiful eyes of yours...He reached forward, gently taking a hold of Yugi's chin and turning it back around. From anyone's point of view, this looked like the opening to a kiss, but the royal simply looked at him, smiling gently at the one in front of him.
Yugi opened his eyes slowly, the crimson gaze trapping him as they looked at one another. Why had he been called over again? He didn't remember as he gulped down a gasp, looking over Atemu's own clothing as the pharaoh-to-be glanced over his face. Why did he have to be shirtless? Was it necessary?
He was reminded of the first day Atemu had arrived, he was shirtless at the time...Yugi let out a gasp as the royal chuckled and removed his hand from his chin.
"Since he is to be out on the stage," Atemu stood up, crossing his arms. "it would be a good idea to put some eyeliner on him, to make his eyes stand out more." The girls nodded. "However, to be honest I don't think it would be needed." The girls looked at him in confusion, before the royal turned around with a flirtatious smirk on his face; "After all, Yugi is already mesmerizing in every way possible, the audience will be amazed either way."
The girls around them were stunned into silence, their own faces turning blossom as they thought of what he just said. Oh my...
Yugi's face was an oven, did he really need to say that? He looked down, refusing to look at the smirking person in front of him. He felt his heart pound harshly against his chest, he was left speechless at the sudden sentence. He should have just said he needed eyeliner and left. He rose his eyes for just a moment, noticing how Atemu was looking at him, his eyes filled with...Don't look at me like that, Yugi begged.
The prince winked at the blushing boy, turning away and leaving him to the girls as they moved into place to do their work.
"Ah, young love." Atemu gasped softly, noticing how Mai stood against the wall, her arms and legs crossed as she leaned back with a knowing smile on her face.
Atemu relaxed a little; "Does it amuse you to watch?" The teacher in question shrugged, laughing a little.
"Well, I do see it often." She pushed herself away from the wall with a wink. "I do teach in a high school, you know." She looked around the area, the prince taking a place next to her to avoid getting bumped into by a passing student dressed as a soldier.
"I want to thank you." She breathed out, causing the royal to look at her with slight confusion. "Thank you for all you've done, you've worked hard, and you've been nice to my students, just..." She looked down and chuckled. "Thank you coming to this school." Atemu's eyes softened, smiling at her and shaking his head.
"Don't thank me, if anything I should thank you." He crossed his arms. "You actually went along with this plan and helped me with Yugi, as did the others..." He looked across all the people, his eyes resting on the one person that made his heart throb. "I want to thank all of you."
Mai shakes her head with a soft laugh and smile. "You're very welcome." She straightened herself up and stretched. "Well, it's time." She turned to look the royal in the eye. "Good luck, your highness."
Atemu narrowed his eyes in amusement and smiled. "Isn't it bad luck to say good luck on a opening night?" He had read this in a book, and wondered if that counted here. Wasn't that the reason why people said Break a leg?
The director simply smirked, a mischievous twinkle in her eye. "Did I say that it was directed toward the play?" Atemu's face processed the information, his face brightening as she walked away with a sway of her hips to the front of the chaos filled room.
She walked to a nearby dresser, grabbing a megaphone off of it and smiling to herself. It'll be a good one, she knew it would be. This performance will be the talk of the school for years to come. She stepped to the door, placing the megaphone to her lips, her free hand on her hip, and a smile on her face.
"Everyone!" She began, gaining the attention of all within the room. "I want to thank all of you for working with me this year, your efforts have been great and your actions have proved to be fruitful as I noticed many of you, who had already been fantastic actors, become even better, to the point you could make even Broadway look like an elementary school play!" the students laughed at this, their eyes focused on their director. "I am proud of each and every one of you, and I know we have some PC's in here today, and I will miss you dearly, and I will make sure that I see you again!" Some students blew a kiss to her in response. " To those who are not PC's. I will track you down and make you sign up to be in here next year, You are all fantastic and I need you all here with me. Now." She smiled brightly.
"Let's give these people a glorious show! Break a leg everyone!" The room erupted in cheers, whistles, applause. Some people called out 'I love yous' and blew kisses to their director. She was like a mother to them, she knew many of them so well that she could dare say that she had adopted them.
"Act one will start within five minutes!" She called out. "Places everyone!" She stepped away from the door, students rushing out like a wave as they all crammed their selves past each other. Atemu and Yugi lagged behind. Atemu because he was in the back, and Yugi because he had to sit up and dust off his dress a little.
The two looked to each other, not noticing how they were the last ones to leave and smiled. They knew they had to get out there, and yes they were nervous because of one reason alone, but hey they had to preform.
Atemu smirked. "Well..." He walked over to his interest, the small teen beginning to blush a little as the royal came closer and placed a hand on his shoulder, leaning in. Yugi's eyes widened before he tightly closed them.
"Let's go make some people cry, Khu." Yugi's eyes popped back open, the royal's breath moving over his ear gently in a playful whisper. The royal pulled back.
Yugi regained some confidence, copying Atemu's smirk and grabbing the prince's wrist, making him gasp out as he then dragged him to the door. He looked at him, his smirk now widening to a bright smile.
"No." He laughed...
"Let's make their hearts break, Wahankh."
()()()()()()()()()
The theater was packed, the entire area being completely filled. Students were piling in, some running and yelling to their friend to catch a seat, and some simply walking around and trying to find a seat. They would look around, and if they couldn't find one, they sat on the floor. No one minded if they had to, after all it was a free show and one that they knew would be worth it.
Their theater class had quite the reputation, they were always fantastic performances and never failed to disappoint the audience with their acting skills. For students, it was free to come and watch on the first day, on the second they would have to pay a simple fee of three dollars. Those who did not come to the school on Saturday would pay eight dollars, and those who came on Sunday paid only five. The main reason being would be because that opening night would always be the best night, no matter how good the acting was.
Students smiled to one another as they sat, talking as they opened a brochure and gazed into it. The program was laid out for everyone, the theater didn't want them to not know what was going on of course. There was an extra service too, that only a few students seemed to have actually taken into account. For only six dollars, they could purchase a tiny notebook, the plays lines within it just in case you knew you would be unable to hear clearly.
Most students didn't take this offer into notice though, the school had excellent speakers and almost everything could be heard clearly. It would be a disgrace for the most high tech school to have horrible audio, wouldn't it?
A female student stopped her joyful chatter, looking up and noticing many small balconies at the top, surrounding the wall of the theater as if it were an opera house. The best seats were there, reserved for teachers and important guests. The best balcony was centered in the middle of the wall, facing the stage directly with an excellent view of the entire stage.
Within this balcony rested six figures, all of them still clothed in their uniform. No one changed for this play, it wasn't formal they had no need to change their attire.
The royals sat there, their interest at their side due to a small request made to Mai before the show had began. Mana smiled, barely containing her excitement as she looked over the area, a hand to her lower neck while the other rested beside her, intertwined with Anzu's. There was so many people! She knew there were a lot of students, she had seen the body together plenty of times, but to view it from so high up was quite an experience. The only other time she could view a lot of people from such a view would be when Atemu and her would stand beside father and mother as they looked out to the people.
"I see that you're having fun." Anzu giggled, finding the princess adorable as she looked around, her pine green eyes bright and full of joy. Mana nodded, looking to her and letting out her own giggle.
"They're so small." She spoke, turning her attention back to the people below.
Anzu couldn't help smiling at her. She looked as if she had never been in a theater before, surely royals visited these kind of places before. She thought for a moment, maybe she wasn't excited about the fact they were in a theater, but because they were so high up? She darted her eyes to the sides, feeling childish as she too looked down to the people around. The students below moved in a wave, the colors of black and gold swirling through the red as if it were a sea. They moved in patterns, Anzu thought, her creative mind seeing many forms of circles and spirals. It was kind of like a dance, she commented, her attention now focused on watching the dancing shapes formed.
Malik threw half of his body over the railing of the balcony, letting out a loud groan as everyone's attention became drawn to him with a surprised gasp, what the hell was he doing?! "I'm so bored!" He whined, knocking his head against the outer part of the balcony. Seto, rested beside Anzu and Joey, quickly jumped up to grab him, only to be beaten to the punch as Bakura simply leaned over, one arm still resting on his chair, and grabbed the back of Malik's pants to drag him back into his seat.
Malik let out a loud yelp, his body being forced up and thrown back into his plush chair. He sounded out a small 'oof', the impact of the pull knocking some sense into him as he straightened his back out. Great, doing that made my back feel funny. He glanced to the side, finding Bakura to be glaring at him. What did he do?!
"Don't. Do. That." Bakura hissed, his teeth clenched as his glare became even harsher. Malik's eyes widened, observing his facial features for a moment. Handsome glare, vicious yet sexy voice...His face turned red, his violet eyes meeting brown for a moment before he nodded with a smile.
"Okay, 'Kura." He was worried about me, Malik had to contain a little laugh at this thought. The silver haired male blushed in response to the expression, looking away for a moment.
"You know," Bakura whispered, turning his gaze back to the royal, his eyes narrowing. "You're supposed to be scared." He watched as Malik's face became brighter than before, his eyes became darker and he shifted in his seat. He felt himself looking over the royal, stopping as he came to his face and looked to his lips. His own face betrayed his mind, forcing it to erupt in a matching color to the chair.
"Never mind, just..." Bakura gestured for Malik to lean over to him. He did and lifted his ear to him. "Don't do that, you scared me half to death." He removed his lips from the blond's ear, moving his gaze anywhere but at him.
Malik felt his heart pound, he was scared? Well, you did just throw half of your body off a really high balcony, who wouldn't be scared? He licked his lips, feeling his throat become dry before he scooted a little closer to Bakura in his chair and leaned his head on the unsuspecting teen's shoulder.
Bakura jerked his eyes away from the curtain he had been gazing at and stared Malik resting on him. His eyes were closed, his face reading relaxation. Bakura let out a small smile, leaning his head, just a little bit, to touch Malik's.
Seto almost had a heart attack there. He had fallen back onto his chair with a huff, breathing quickly for a moment out of shock. What in Ra's name did Malik think he was doing?! Didn't he know how high up they were! What if he had fallen?! Sure, there were plenty of students below them, but even then they wouldn't be much of a cushion. He placed a hand on his forehead, covering his eyes as he groaned internally. They were here just to watch Yugi and Atemu do their thing, and to do some gamble they had agreed on.
"Hey, at least he didn't fall." Joey suddenly spoke, looking down at the people below them. Seto turned his eyes to him in question, what?
"Huh?" Seto spoke, his informal speech now becoming a second nature to him around Joey. The blond glanced at him, his eyes filled with worry, worry for what? He shrugged.
"I was just saying..." Joey pointed a thumb beside him to Malik. "He didn't fall, so it's okay, right?" Seto had to restrain his gasp as he processed what he was saying, he knew he was worried about Malik?
"How did you-"
"Why wouldn't you worry?" Joey interrupted, placing his arms behind his back to use as a pillow. "You're the adviser, and although he's not some fancy prince guy, you still have responsibility over him, right?" He yawned, not noticing how the adviser began to smile warmly at him.
"Yeah, you're right." Seto kept smiling, not able to stop himself and watched as Joey opened an eye to look at him with a side glance. He felt his face become warm at the gaze the royal was giving him.
"Uh.." Joey let out, removing his arms from his head and barely having time to react as Seto then grabbed his hand. He opened his mouth to protest.
"Stay." He ordered gently, his smile fading to a small one as Joey seemed to calm down and obey his command. It was funny how much his boyfriend acted like a puppy.
The room dimmed down to a pitch black, the students becoming quiet immediately at this. They knew the drill, and this got them excited and barely able to contain it as they waited for the show to begin. The little group on the balcony, looked down, Malik turned his head to Bakura for a moment.
"So, uh..." Malik whispered, gaining all of his friend's attention. "Since this is a weird school, no offense." He held up a defensive hand. "Does that mean the play's going to be a little-" He suddenly heard the sounds of a river, a warm gentle breeze flew throughout the area, it became as warm as a cozy summer day.
Anzu let out a silent laugh as Malik's eyes began to widen; "Does that answer your question?" The royal nodded, turning his eyes to the stage as it began to brighten up and reveal Mai standing there in a Egyptian priestess garb, she looked to the audience, her eyes shining.
"Good afternoon, everyone!" She spoke, her voice amplified to sound off the walls of the room. "Thank you for taking time out of your important study time, which I'm sure all of you would be doing," She winked at the audience, making the students chuckle. "But perish the thought of studying, this is a time for fun isn't it? Oh!" She rose a hand to her lips, looking to the balcony and locating Pegasus in the crowd in his own school uniform. "I shouldn't say that studying isn't fun, should I, Mr. Pegasus sir?"
He waved a dismissive hand at her with a smile as the teens below began to laugh, she always did this to give a more home like feel to the area around. Yes, they wanted it to be a little formal, but it was supposed to be fun.
"Anyway," She cleared her throat, her smile still resting on her face. "Please sit back and enjoy this amazing show that your peers have practiced just for you this evening, and do not forget if you are unable to hear, you may go purchase a word catalog from the stand outside the theater. Now, before I bore you to tears allow me to present;" She spread her arms out, presenting the area behind her as the curtains suddenly drew back, revealing a crisp, bright desert with a sandstone town behind her. Music bellowed out around them, the tune chippy and smooth.
"The Red Nile!"
()()()()()()()()()()()()
Act One
The surrounding stage dimmed, the area turning to a gentle yellow as it caressed the floor and walls. Sand filled the area beneath the people's feet, the grains dancing as a soft wind blew through them, forcing them to move with the breeze. The nature around them followed along with the breeze, joining this relaxing sway of earth and air. The trees moved back and forth, the plants bending in a bow to the left and right.
Small buildings rested around the area, the stone being made of sand. One building stood tall, covering the rest of the town with a protective kind of shelter as it revealed it's power. This was where the chief lived, this was where the most important person resided, this was where the people knew they could go if they were in need of help.
They trusted the chief, they loved their chief, and even more did they love his beautiful daughter. A slender figure exited the tallest structure, their long black hair, mixed with a hint of amethyst, flowing down their back as a couple strands rested on their torso. They moved their golden bangs to the side for a moment, a straw broom grasped in their hand as they glanced around. Their stunning eyes twinkled for a moment, revealing a look of happiness, but hiding the hint of sadness that came with the day they had awoken on.
They began to sweep the front of the building, truly not needing to. They knew they had servants, but they enjoyed doing some chores. They did not feel the need to let the servants do everything. And their father enjoyed this fact, it was rare to have such a person do a thing.
They stopped sweeping, a sudden pout taking form onto their face as they looked across the town. "Oh, where is he?" They spoke, clicking their tongue in annoyance. "He probably overslept or forgot about me, the pathetic idiot..."
They let out a sad sigh, resuming their sweeping and taking not one notice to the bushes nearby. They moved with a soft rustle of leaves as they overheard the others words.
A tanned hand crept out behind the green, and with a sudden jump a man erupted from it with a loud laugh, grabbing the sweeping figure and beginning to twirl around.
The grabbed person let out a shriek, barely able to contain their giggles as they were swung around by the man. Oh, there he was! They laughed more, before the person being held began to beat playfully on the persons' back, kicking their feet.
"Wahankh!" They laughed, kicking more. "Unhand me you- Stop!" They giggled as Wahankh nuzzled their neck with their nose, tickling the poor person they held before placing them down with a final laugh.
The slender person dusted their attire off quickly, a smile still on their beautiful face before they smacked Wahankh on the shoulder; "How dare you scare me!"
"My deepest and most sincere apologies," Wahankh bent himself in a bow, the action being far too low to be serious. "Milady."
"You idiot.." The girl shook her head at this, her smile refusing to leave against her will. She looked at how the man was dressed, he was clothed in the same attire as... Her eyes faded to a dark shade, her golden bangs falling in her face. "Today is the final day, is it not?"
Wahankh looked at her, his face suddenly serious as the wind began to blow through his spiked hair, the red outlining his black clashing with the sudden yellow of sand that passed by. He looked down at the sand, as if trying to force himself into it so he did not have to think about what was coming. "Yes," He took a sudden step to the girl, startling her for a moment and causing her to take a step back. "But-"
"Then, you have simply come to say goodbye, correct?" Small tears began to form in her eyes, she rose her eyes to him, not taking in how the man suddenly began to look worried. {Focus, Yugi thought, his eyes shaking from the tears he had to form. He stared at the prince in costume in front of him, he looked worried but he wasn't supposed to at that moment. He was supposed to immediately interrupt him with-}
"Are you saying that you would not come and search the entire village for me to say goodbye?" Wahankh straightened himself up, his face now changing to a completely playful sort of look, with just an ounce of sadness hidden in his gaze. He smiled warmly at the girl, who in turn simply let out a soft laugh in reply.
"You know I would," She folded her hands in front of her. "I have known you since the gods have placed me here, surely we know each other better than even the back of our own hands."
Wahankh nodded in response, his eyes growing serious in a quick moment. "It is true that I have come to say my goodbyes, however I-"
"Ah, young warrior!" An old man walked out of the home, his back bent as he rested on a stick in front of him, his hair gray as he approached the two young ones in front of him. His outfit resembled that of a royal warrior, only a large robe covered a majority of his clothes; "Good afternoon to you!"
Wahankh bowed at his sudden arrival, a respectful grin covering his face "And good afternoon to you as well, your majesty."
The old man rose a dismissive hand and laughed; "How many times must I tell you? Call me by name, or better yet, why not call me dad?"
The girl's face brightened, her face rivaling the red in Wahankh's hair and eyes as her hands clutched up in fists. "F-Father!"
"Come now, Khu, t'was only a joke." He laughed more, clearing his throat before speaking once more; "So, have you come to say farewell?"
Wahankh nodded. "I have"
"You are to help defend against the Mawts?"
"I am," Wahankh stood proudly at this. "I leave when the sun has barely greeted the morning sands."
Khu looked at him sadly, her eyes going to the sands below her feet as she tried to erase thoughts from her mind. She darted her gaze back to the young warrior, watching as he spoke once more;
"I have come to speak to your daughter, before I go home and rest for morn."
The chief rose an eyebrow at this, tossing a knowing look to Khu before nodding at Wahankh. "Very well, I shall leave to visit with a friend for a moment." He bowed to him. "May the gods protect you on your journey."
"T-Thank you, very much..." Wahankh's cheeks turned pink, not expecting a bow from the leader of the village as he too reflected the action back at him.
Khu stepped forward, placing a gentle kiss on her father's cheek before waving him off and waiting as the man left their line of sight. She turned around, crossing her arms and looking to her friend.
"So, what is it that you need to speak about?" She smiled, only to gasp as Wahankh suddenly stepped forward. Her arms uncrossed themselves at this, not able to react as the other suddenly grabbed her forearms and pulled her close to him.
"Wahank-"
"Khu." He stopped her words, their eyes meeting. " I know that I will be gone for many suns and moons, for I will be traveling far across the Nile with a small chance of life..." He breathes for a moment, closing his eyes briefly before reopening them to continue; "But I have known you for even longer than I am to be gone. Our days together outweigh how long I will be away. The gods placed us here on the same day, so..." He paused, not able to form the words that he needed to say.
{Oh Ra...Atemu drew a blank, not knowing what to say for a moment. He stared down at Yugi's surprised face, he knew it was fake but still they were so close and both of them knew the next phrase. He just couldn't say it, why couldn't he? It wasn't as if he was really asking Yugi to actually- His eyes widened, finding his beloved interest mouthing the words, not distinct enough to be seen from the audience, but enough to be noticed by prince licked his lips, vaguely nodding as his chest began to pound as he finally opened his mouth to say the next phrase}
"I request you wait for me..." Wahankh moved his hands down her slender arms. "And honor me in becoming my wife."
Khu's eyes widened, her heart beginning to pound at the sentence. She looked away for a moment, her eyes saddened and shocked all at the same time. Her mouth had become dry at these words, why must she be so embarrassed at a time like this?
{Yugi could barely breath as he forced his hands to go to Atemu's shoulders, he was shaking and his heart was going faster than he wanted. Yes, their relationship was fine, but god it was hot on stage and he was confused for a moment. Why had that phrase make him so happy for that second? He tightened his hands on the royal's shoulders.}
"I-I..." She gulped, her mouth still as dry as the surrounding sands. "You know that I am the daughter of-"
"I know that!" Wahankh cries out, his hands moving from her arms to her waist, pulling her against him, chest to chest. "But I really..." He trailed off, his next words already flowing to Khu's ears before he could even say them.
Khu lifted her eyes, searching the crimson pools above her and finding the one emotion she wanted to see. She looked down for just a moment, tears forming in her eyes as she returned her eyes to him.
"You have to promise..." She whispered to him softly. "Swear that you will return to me.
Wahankh narrowed his eyes seriously, his voice filled with the only emotion he could feel at that moment; "I swear it." He replied, taking her small cheek into the palm of his hand. "I swear by the sands and the Nile's purest of waters that I shall return to your side."
"Then..." She closes her eyes as Wahankh lowers his forehead onto hers. "I shall wait for you, no matter how far you are..." A velvet sky covered their bodies, removing them from sight of eavesdroppers.
"My dearest warrior."
()()()()()()()()()()()()
Act Two
The surrounding landscape became colder, winds began chiller, and the area was no longer coated in a protective shell of yellow. Now cast upon the sands was a serene blue, one that a person could stare at and fall asleep at the soothing color. The morning wind greeted everyone with a kiss, tickling their faces as they rose to greet the sands before the sun had touched them.
A man beyond the village, resting against a stone gate as their horse attempted to graze the sands at their feet, finding some, but very little, plants to feast upon. His eyes were blue, his hair a long black that was swept into a ponytail held together by some string. His attire matched Wahankh's, only his covering his entire chest and his feet more protected.
He looked to the side, noticing as Wahankh came toward him with a stern look on his face. He smiled to himself, his student truly did some like the perfect warrior.
"'There you are." He spoke, smiling as he straightened himself up and placed his hands on his hips. "I was worried that you had slept in and forgot of our departure."
Wahankh rolled his eyes at this, snorting as he strode up to the other man. "Do you not trust me, my master?" The man responded by laughing and clapping him on the shoulder.
"Nonsense!" He winked at him. "I trust you far more than any of my other pupils!"
Wahankh chuckled. "I am glad. Now..." He rose an eyebrow at the sight of only one horse. "Do I not get a steed of my own?"
His master shrugged, gesturing for him to follow him. "You will have to ride with me." He threw himself onto the back of the horse, Wahankh following shortly behind.
He wondered vaguely of the other soldiers, before taking notice as other men came from the sides with their other mounts to follow them as they journeyed on. The scene in the back changed, the clouds moving as they trotted along.
"I finally did it, master." Wahankh began to speak, not wanting the journey to be enveloped in a harsh silence.
"Finally did what?"
"You know," He smiled, a dreamlike gaze in his eyes. "I finally asked her..."
His master let out a whistle at this, a large grin on his face. "I see, I am happy for you." He took a glance back at Wahankh. "I could only assume she said yes due to your happy smile."
"Yes! I am overjoyed!" He spoke happily. "Surely the gods have blessed out love and wish us good fortune for the rest of our lives!"
The man smiled at the thought of his pupil happy, only to become sorrowful as he thought of a detail that was too important to ignore; "Does she know of how long you are to be gone?"
Wahankh nodded. "Yes, I told her and she promised she would wait for me."
"I see." He smiled, the background slowly beginning to change into a friendly orange-yellowish color as their horse began to disappear from sight. "I wish you both good fortune."
The area reverted to the town, the streets now busy with people shopping and talking as they went along with their normal day. Four girls walked in the middle, their faces bright and cheery as they spoke. One of the four happened to be Khu, her eyes closed as she began to laugh. The friend to her far right, one that held red hair, smirked as she began to speak.
"So, the word amongst housewives is that you're engaged, Khu." She closed her eyes, opening one eye just to see Khu's reaction.
The girl flushed, her lips forming a shy smile as she uttered out a couple of words; "W-Well, Yes..."
Her blond headed friend, resting between Khu and the red head, revealed a mischievous grin on her face; "So, that coward of a warrior finally asked, did he?"
Khu opened her mouth, her cheeks flaring in anger at the sudden insult to Wahankh before her friend to her left, with brown hair, began to speak; "Oh, do not be so hard on her." She pouted at the other girl. "At least he became a warrior, not like your man!"
The blond headed girl looked away, her own cheeks beginning to brighten. "Well, at least mine will remain alive." Khu's eyes widened, her gaze turning to the road as they walked, a saddened expression now taking over her face.
"Do not sadden her!" Her red headed friend spoke. "I was bringing up her man for happiness, not to criticize her choice in men!"
The blond scoffed. "Well, my man is-"
"A pathetic, weak harvester." The brown haired one spoke with a smirk. "How are the crops by the way?" This resulted in the blond grumbling to herself, looking away from the group of friends.
"Khu's boy has more looks than yours." The red head smiled happily at her. "Even if he used to be a coward, he is quite the dashing sight."
Khu blushed, her cheeks even brighter than before as she thought of Wahankh. {Dashing? Yugi thought, well...He had to stop himself, what was he doing? This wasn't about Atemu! This was about Wahankh, just the character! Not him, even if he was kind of...} Khu gulped, looking anywhere but at her friends.
"Y-Yes..." She muttered to herself. "I believe so as well..."
Her blond haired friend looked back to the group, smiling as she thought of something quickly to make up for her harshness; "Well then." She crosses her arms with another wink. "If he returns, I could assume that we will be seeing some fine looking children."
The scenery began to change once more, the girls beginning to giggle more as they were removed from sight. How long had it been now? Three years passed since this day, the days going on as normal. Khu waited countless days and nights, praying every moon and sun to the gods that she would be blessed with the presence of her beloved Wahankh again.
And in turn, Wahankh too prayed for the safety of his beautiful Khu. They would think of each other every moment. Their daily lives becoming different as they could not see each other as often as they once did. Their lives seemed to be normal, despite this constant heartache until a day came where Khu's small town received a dark message.
The surrounding contained two areas, one consisting of Khu standing outside in a garden behind her tall sand building with her eyes casted down, and the other showing a tent with Wahankh standing and facing his master with a sad, shocked expression.
Khu knelt down, picking up a black lotus and taking it into her delicate hands. She played with the petals of it, trying not to hear the sounds of her father approaching her from behind slowly.
"We need to evacuate, Khu." He spoke, looking at the back of his daughter's head. He knew her pain, he knew she didn't want to go but-
"But we still are not certain the threat is real." She replied, her voice blank from emotion as she stared down at the lotus. "What if the threat is nothing but a farce?" She clutched the black lotus tightly in her hand. "Our abandonment would be for nothing."
Her father shook his head. "The threat is still a thr-"
Khu whipped her body around, throwing the lotus flower to her feet as she glared into the terrified eyes of her father. "I am not leaving! And that. is. Final!"
His eyes widen at her sudden outburst, unsure of what to say before he sighs and turns away from his maddened daughter; "If..." He releases a breath. "If we are to receive another threat, then we are to leave immediately." He leaves the garden, leaving her alone.
Khu breathes heavily, her eyes growing heavy as she finally begins to sob and fall to her feet, her tears staining her clothes as she sat. "Wahankh..."
Wahankh narrows his eyes at his master, not believing what he was hearing. "What do you mean they sent a threat?"
His master shook his head, not believing it himself as he spoke. He didn't even begin to think that the enemy would attack their home directly. He ran a hand through his hair. "To our home, our village." He shook his head, removing his hand and staring at his pupil. "They sent a threat to the chief that they are to attack at the end of the month..."
Wahankh's eyes widen at this, no...He begins to shake, not able to contain his fear and anger. "I..." He utters out. "I need to think." He pushes past the man, running out of the tent to the other side of it, falling on his bottom as he places his hands over his eyes.
He left his village to protect it, and now it was going to get attacked and he wasn't even there to stop it?! Why! He bit his lip, feeling the urge to sob as he looked to the sky, comparing the blue to the pure waters of the Nile near home. Khu...
Khu looked to the garden, her tears falling down her cheek as she reached for a pure red lotus, holding it to her chest. It was the same color as his eyes, she cried softly, forcing herself to stand. She needed to be strong. She lifted her other hand, brushing the tears from her face as she looked to the sky, the sand sitting below it. She held the lotus tightly, not enough to hurt it, but to bend it just a little.
She took a deep breath, a gentle haunting melody coursing throughout the desert. Her emotions flowed out, her tears drying just enough to reveal her beautiful face in its purest form.
"A desert of peace..." She closed her eyes. "A Nile of hope...A dream of desire, my heart of pain. How I crave to hear you speak to me..." She looks to her surrounding garden, only looking to the red plants around her that reminded her of the one she adored. "I need your soul, right here by my side, to hold me throughout the night." She let out a soft crescendo, the tune slowing down as she reached out her hand. "But now you are gone...and out across the sand..." She smiled softly, bringing herself happiness as she thought of him, the melody resounding in her mind as she thought of the wonders her and Wahankh could do.
Wahankh narrowed his eyes, his chest beginning to hurt as he thought of her. He needed to be by her, he loved her so much... "A battle of peace..." He sung sweetly, slowly standing up, a hand going to his torso. "A land of hope...A cry of desire, my of pain, how I long," He thought of the one person he loved, standing there before him, waiting for him to come back with outstretched arms. "To have you in my arms. I need your soul, standing by my side, to help me throughout the fight." He closed his eyes sadly, thinking of reality. "But I am at war...and you're across the sand."
The two lovers stand up straight, their eyes blazing in hope as they glare across the sand, as if they were looking across to each other. Their eyes finding the other pair and staying locked together so they could never part again.
Khu and Wahankh stared to one another, not even knowing that their line of sight would connect to the other. The tune became bolder, the harmony and melody crashing together with percussion.
Khu dropped her lotus, the flower bouncing on the sands as she opened her mouth; "Oh, but I'll wait!"
Wahankh took a deep breath, bellowing out his feelings; "I will fight!"
"I will defend and be the one-"
"The one you'll see!"
The two moved with their emotions, barely able to control their actions as they expressed how they felt. Their love echoing off the walls of the desert sky, the floors of the dry sand. It resounded across the sand, allowing the entire area to hear their passion for the other.
"The one who will greet you in the sand, standing in the sun." Khu took a step forward, tears beginning to gently flow down as she sang.
"I will come to find you standing there, to take you in my arms!" Wahankh felt his own eyes begin to release tears, not caring as he could envision his love singing with him.
"This desert of peace-"
"The Nile of hope!"
"A battle of peace!"
"The land of hope! It shall be our eternal light to lead me back to your arms!"
Khu closed her eyes, her words practically begging; "Come back to me!"
Wahankh heard a soft cry in his ears, answering the call as the melody in his mind began to slow down once more; "I will come.."
"Oh, and I will wait..."
The two look up, their eyes turning to the sky now, they take a synchronized breath as they both let out the same words; "Across the sand..."
They crescendo, their voices harmonizing as a dark red hides them once more from sight, allowing the two lovers to imagine each other in their arms even though they were so far apart.
()()()()()()()()()()()
Act 3
Wahankh stormed into the tent, barely giving onlookers enough time to see him do this as he snatched up his weapons and tried to burst out of the tent. His master resided in the tent, looking him up and down as if he had lost his mind. What in the gods' names was he doing? He narrowed his eyes, rushing forward and taking the other man by the shoulder.
"What in Ra's name do you think you're going?" He questioned harshly, letting out a inaudible gasp as Wahankh smacked his hand off of him. The fellow warrior glared at him.
"I'm going home." Wahankh answered simply. His master glared at him.
"No you're not, the enemy is-"
"At home." He hissed. "I will not allow my village to be attacked." He rushed to the exit of the tent, only for his master to grab him by both of his shoulders and turn him around to face him, stopping him in his tracks.
"You're insane." He spat. "The village is a week away, if you say the enemy is close to them we would never make it back in time."
Wahankh breathed through his nose, his teeth clenched as he replied; "I could care less." He ripped his shoulders away from him. "I am going there to help and I do not care how far it is. I am going there so there is at least a chance I will save someone."
The other man looked at him, his eyes narrowing as he suddenly realized why he had the sudden need to go back home to the doomed town. "This is about Khu, isn't it?" He shook his head at this foolishness. "I know you love her but she-"
"I will not just stand here!" He practically screamed, his golden bangs that went along his face going out of place to rest in front of his eyes. His crimson eyes held a harsh rage within them, driving the man insane with worry. "If I do not at least check there, I will never know if she survived or not! And it is your home too!" He grabbed his master by the collar of his shirt, pulling him close enough to feel his breath on his face. "Are you going to stay here and let them die, not even knowing if your own family survived?"
His master's eyes widened, lowering them to a glare before he grits his teeth and pushes Wahankh away and rushes past him to outside the tent. "Everyone saddle up, we're going home!"
The scene changes to the town with people walking up the streets, and Khu sweeping outside her home once more with a somber look on her face. She looked down, watching as the sands refused to leave the front of her home no matter how much she swept. She kept sweeping, she didn't really care...
Khu's eyes widened, suddenly hearing the noise of a woman screaming and the sounds of arrows being shot. In a flash she saw fire form throughout the trees behind her home, what was going on?! She looked behind her building, finding men in ragged clothing to be rummaging through the village, shooting arrows of fire at trees, and men with swords to be chasing fellow villagers. No...
She dropped her broom, running inside her home to see servants looking around confused at all the nose. Khu breathes heavily, the Mawts...
"Everyone hide!" She cried out, barely able to contain the fear in her voice as the servants scattered around in the home, trying to find anything they could hide behind, under, or in. A young short haired servant came to her, her eyes filled with terror.
"My lady, your father..." Khu's eyes widened. He had went out on another errand. She couldn't think for a moment, no please no. She ran out of her home, ignoring the cries of her servants to come back.
She looked around, witnessing bodies of her friends and villagers. Why did this happen? The threat said the end of the month...She whipped her head around, feeling the desert air become hotter due to the flames surrounding them. She ran past everything, ignoring the screams of people, ignoring the roaring flames, where was he?!
Khu gasps, finding her father to be resting near an old store that they would go to. The place was already aflame and her father seemed to contain a wound near his heart, his eyes closed and body unmoving. She ran to him, sobbing as she knelt by his side, her knees hurting at the intensity she had slid down to him.
"F-Father?" She takes his face into her hands, he wasn't breathing. "Father..." She cradled his head to her chest, sobbing into his hair. "Why did I not listen? The gods have punished my stubborn ignorance! If only I had obeyed and..." Her cries filled her head, barely taking in the sudden dark figure in dark robes that stepped toward her, a shining red blade in his hand.
"And what have we here?" Khu's eyes widen, turning her head to look up into the dark eyes of the man before her. His head was covered with his robe, his eyes black as night, he didn't even seem human...
"Aren't you a pretty one," He lowers his sword to her chin, forcing it under to lift her chin up to look at him. "Hmm," He chuckles darkly. "I might have to keep you...What is your name?"
Khu keeps her expression blank, refusing to answer as she forces her head away from the man. He growls in response, forcing himself down on one knee.
"Look at me!" He reaches forward and grips her jaw, jerking her head in his direction. He rose his sword to her face. "Tell me your name, or I will slice up that pretty little body of yours."
Khu narrowed her eyes, knowing what would happen if she said this, but she didn't care. She kept her narrowed eyes firm, refusing to falter in fear. "I would rather face any death, than obey the ones who have desecrated my home."
The man's eyes widened, before glaring at the woman once more. He rose his sword, aiming it in the direction of her stomach.
Khu watches as the blade comes down, only to look past it to see a familiar soldier run past the flames. Her eyes widen as her heart soars with happiness when she hears one word, as she too utters one in response.
"Khu!"
"Wahankh-?"
Wahankh's eyes widen, watching as the man standing in front of her plunges his sword into her belly, red spilling around the sword and into her clothes. He feels his heart tighten in sorrow and rage, no. No!
He let out a cry, running toward the man, his own sword in hand as he rose it up in front of him. The man turned around in alarm, taking a random stab forward as he felt metal come into contact with his heart.
Wahankh could care less about the pain he was having in his lung now, the only thing he felt was rage. He forced his entire body onto the sword, ignoring how the enemy's blade was stuck in him. He watched as the man fell to the ground, away from Khu and her father's bodies.
He watched, his breathing heavy as he coughed and removed the sword from his lung. He knelt down, feeling weak. He didn't have much time, did he? He crawled to Khu, taking her frail body in his arms and looking down into her amethyst eyes.
They were still open?! The eyes looked up at him, tears streaming down her cheeks as she looked up, the only emotions seen in her eyes were two things; Love and Happiness.
"K-Khu-?" Wahankh let out a gasp, tears falling as he felt a cold, small hand touch his cheek. Khu smiled up at him, letting out a gasp as she tried to breath.
"You came back..." Her eyes narrowed, her smile getting a little bigger. "I'm so happy..." She opened her mouth, stopping before she could speak...{Say it...Come on! This is the big scene, say it! Yugi gulped, say it. It's just a play, he won't take it serious just say it...
"Yugi." His eyes widened as he looked up, Atemu's eyes covered in tears, he had said it softly just enough for the microphone not to hear it but... "I love you."
His heart stopped, his face became bright as he took in what the royal had said, he had said those three words loud enough for the audience to hear it. Was he reminding him of his lines and just forgot to whisper it? Well...Yugi took a deep breath, accepting the fact that they traded lines just that moment. He hadn't said it in time, no wonder the royal took the incentive to say it first. He was delaying the play!}
"I..." Khu let out, wanting to reply before her final moments left her. She began to close her eyes softly. "I...love you...too..." She closed her eyes completely, laying there in Wahankh's arms before he lowered his head.
{This will be the second time...Atemu thought, but it's just a play...}
{It's just a play, it's okay. Yugi thought, it doesn't matter what happens...}
Wahankh pressed his lips to Khu's cold ones, the kiss only lasting a couple of seconds before the warrior lifted his head and collapsed, an arm around Khu's stomach, and one behind her head.
The lights began to dim, the master of the now dead warrior coming into view as he looked at the bodies, and began to make gestures to other soldiers to come and help him.
The area became bright once more, the sand as dry as ever, the sounds of the breeze now accompanied by the sound of moving water, The sky looking as pure as the water in the Nile as the warrior rode his horse, two bodies riding behind him as other horses rode beside him.
He rose off his horse, taking one body and placing it near the edge of, what it looked like, the sky itself. He returned to his horse, taking the other body, this one smaller than the other one, and placed it on top of the other.
The other soldiers following him stepped off their horses, bringing their own corpses they had carried with them near the edge as well, only farther away from the two combined bodies.
The warrior retreated back to his horse for one more item, a large white cloth with a red lotus sewn into it. He placed it over the two bodies, looking to his fellow soldiers and nodding before they gently lowered the corpses into the sky, the blue now turning the color of red wine.
"May the purest water of the Nile, and the gods themselves, guide you to an eternal paradise."
()()()()()()()()()()()()
The curtains lowered, the cheers and applause erupting through the area as it did so. Students and teachers alike cried and clapped, announcing their joy for having a play performed for them. They stood up, clapping and cheering even louder as the actors walked onto the stage and began to take bows in pairs.
The six friends stood up, looking over the balcony and watched as Atemu and Yugi began to walk in, Yugi from the right and Atemu from the left.
They looked to each other, smiling shyly at one another. There was questions that needed to be answered after this, they both thought, but that could wait. They had done well...
Atemu held out his hand to Yugi, a soft blush coming onto his cheeks as he gestured to the crowd.
Yugi's eyes widened for a moment, his own blush taking over before he smiled and gently took the prince's hand for a moment.
They waved to the crowd, looking up and seeing their friends as they all contained different reactions to their hand holding. Yugi didn't know why they were acting like this though, it wasn't like they were dating, they had just performed together and...He darted his eyes to the royal, trying not to think too hard as he simply returned his eyes back to his friends.
The six friends in the balcony looked to each other, knowing that progress was made and that they had done well, the only thing that came next was going to be the hardest part, however...They still didn't know who acted the best during the play.
Yugi and Atemu looked to each other one more time, before gripping their hands tightly, closing their eyes...
And taking the final bow to end the night.
:Oh my god, it's so hard to type in the cold! But hey, look! I did it! I frigging did it! I typed out the play! That was more fun to type out than I thought, but you know. I hope you enjoyed reading the play, it was hard to do since I never wrote out a play before, but anyway! I'll see you guys next week with the next chapter! Love you guys!: