TWO HEARTS, ONE PUZZLE
Oh my gosh you guys, I'm so sorry this has taken so long. I've been trying to outline the whole story so I know exactly what to write when the conditions for writing are perfect. Thanks for waiting you guys, you're all awesome
Disclaimers:
Obivously I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh! and you guys know about the other one if you've come this far.
Hope you guys like this chapter, and don't worry it gets good soon. I hope. I think. I don't know. You'll just have to find out. xD Don't hate me x.x
Chapter 7: Food for Thought
~…***…***…~
Yugi dragged his feet as he shuffled behind the Pharaoh who held him by his copper chain. It jingled in the empty hall, echoing off the stone walls. There was little color in his face which had begun to shrink, his jaw bone visible through the skin. The same was true of the rest of his already frail body: his bones were showing and his clothes were nearly falling off his frame. His eyes were drained of spark and barely moved as he was dragged along by Atem. What little energy he had he put into keeping up with the pace of the Pharaoh so that he was not yanked by the throat. But it was no surprise he was acting this way.
It had been more than a week since Yugi had last eaten.
His body was skinny enough from what little food he got as a slave. But from over a week of starvation, his body recoiled and sucked energy from every little ounce of flesh leaving him little more than a skeleton and a layer of skin. Yugi looked like a corpse and received pitiful glances from the other slaves, especially during Pharaoh's meal time. He simply stood behind him and watched as Atem stuffed his face, receiving only a cup of water a day to drink.
After a long session of thinking, Pharaoh Atem had decided to break Yugi by taking away one of the few privileges he had: food. By only giving him water to drink, he could keep the boy alive and yet cause him great suffering, perhaps so much that he would finally act in such a way that would cause the Pharaoh to dispose of him and forget this foolish prophecy. For some reason, he felt he couldn't just simply kill the boy. That would be too easy. He wanted a reason. He wanted him to lash out, to try and defy his king only to be struck down by the very man. A twisted sense of humor, Atem supposed. But then again, he was Pharaoh. No one could question him or his methods. At least, not without receiving appropriate punishment.
He brought the boy to the eastern side of the palace where a suspended bridge connected it to a large temple. Guards stood posted all along the bridge and kneeled as the Pharaoh passed. A few looked up at the boy behind him and snarled in disgust. Yugi didn't notice. He was too focused on following the Pharaoh and listening for his voice if he gave him a command.
Despite his predicament, Yugi had managed to stay strong. From the first day when only water was brought to his slave quarters, he guessed his punishment for his outburst was not nearly over. His suspicions were confirmed at dinner when he was given nothing to eat again and instead watched the Pharaoh garble down his lavish meal. His stomach grumbled angrily that night, and Yugi feared it was so loud that it would wake the Pharaoh. The cycle continued and Yugi's energy slowly crept away from him. His vision began to get blurry and his legs wobbled when he walked, having almost no muscle now to carry himself. But Yugi used every ounce of strength he managed to save in order to keep himself alive. Though it caused his body great pain just to even breathe, Yugi kept up his job as personal slave to the Pharaoh.
Atem pulled Yugi along as they entered the temple; a dark, constricted place lit with torches with many carvings on the walls. Yugi could hear guards carrying something large and heavy behind them, and it made inhuman sounds of stuggle as they walked. He couldn't turn his head to see, but he assumed he would know soon enough. As they continued through the temple, they ascended many spiral flights of stairs until they reached a large, open room where Yugi noticed Seth and the other priests standing before the furthest wall. A large altar had been carved out of stone and depicted visuals of the many Egyptian Gods holding torches that were lit and caused shadows to dance around the room. Their eyes were made from precious gems that sparkled in the flames' light, and stared down intently at the humans below them. At the base of the altar was a large basin with two large sub-pools connected to it. He had a good idea what they were for.
Seth acknowledged Atem as he entered with "My Pharaoh" and stood as he approached. Atem handed Yugi's chain to a nearby guard who tugged on it tightly, forcing Yugi into a kneeling position next to the altar. Gasping lightly for air as the guard pulled the chain up, Yugi's head was lifted high enough to watch the events inside the was the day of ritual when the Pharaoh had to offer sacrifice to the gods in order to keep them happy and make the land prosperous. It was one of his few required duties as Pharaoh, although he only considered it for his own personal gain.
Atem raised his arms to the altar, reciting an ancient chant which Yugi couldn't understand. It must have been a privileged language for the pharaohs. Seth began chanting as well as the other sorcerers together with him, all in unison. When they finished, everyone but Atem kneeled in front of the altar. The Pharaoh then spokein a very humble tone which sounded so odd to Yugi's ears.
"Great gods of Egypt! You have bestowed upon this land your immense power and blessings unto us. Through your power, we have been spared famine and plague, and we thank you greatly!"
The six guards who were kneeling behind him suddenly moved forward with his gesture, dragging something wrapped in cloth. It was huge and was trying to kick its way out of the wrap but the guards kept it held tight. They dropped it into the basin and removed the cloth to reveal a full grown bull, legs chained together as it thrashed about, its eyes struck with fear.
Atem drew a knife from his waist and held it up to the flames on the altar until the tip glowed red.
"To you, we offer sacrifice so that you may continue to bless us with your wonders of prosperity! In the name of the Pharaoh, I give you the elixir of life!"
With his last words, Atem sliced the neck of the bull; the burning blade searing as it cut right through the flesh. Blood gushed from the wound as the animal struggled to breathe. But it was to no avail as the basin filled with its blood and overflowed into the two smaller pools. The bull continued to fight, a screech erupting with blood from its mouth until it slowly sank down into its own juices. His eyes locked with Yugi's and sent a chill of pity through the slave boys mind just before the beast gave a final heave and lay still.
Atem raised his blood stained knife to the altar and spoke another ancient chant as Seth and the priests revealed golden chalices with which they dipped into the pools of blood and filled. They then hoisted them up to the altar and poured them down the throats of the carvings of Osiris and Obelisk. When they had finished and Atem's spiritual chant was over, the Pharaoh took his own cup and filled the mouth of Ra with the bull's blood.
All the while Yugi couldn't help but stare at the luscious red that flowed from the bull's neck. He could smell it, almost taste it on his tongue. The boy tried to swallow but his mouth was too dry. Yugi was willing to eat anything at this point, and the tantalizing smell of animal blood panged at his stomach. Had he any more strength or any less self-control, he would have broken free from the guard's grip and dove straight into the basin lathering his tongue in the blood like a wild animal. But the boy had no choice but to remain kneeling and watch as the Pharaoh brought the chalice to his lips and drank the remaining drops of elixir in the cup, tasting the same offering given to the gods. As their vessel, their direct link to the people, he was nearly on equal terms with them. The very sight of him drinking made Yugi's stomach clench up. He bit his lip to keep himself from crying out and drew his own blood. His little pink tongue quickly dashed it away and gave Yugi a tiny bit of comfort just from the taste. The thought crossed his mind to bite his whole tongue and end everything…it would be so easy. But then he remembered his promise to himself and his friends.
Gods…give me strength…
Atem smirked as the warm liquid ran down his throat, for in the corner of his eye he noticed the slave boy eyeing the carcass of the bull. He knew its smell would be so tempting and inviting.It won't be long now…he thought. It's just a matter of time before he snaps. And I will be right there to deliver his punishment and end this prophecy nonsense once and for all. If that boy takes even one more step out of line, a painful death awaits him. He licked his lips as he swallowed the rest of the blood.
~…***…***…~
Yugi sat in his quarters with his knees pulled in tight to his chest. It was the morning after the ritual and the sun had not yet risen, so Yugi was up waiting for the Pharaoh to wake up. By now he had forgotten what food tasted like and his body had become so thin that he almost couldn't stand up. But he tried very hard to stay awake, not letting the fatigue of starvation take hold of him. Obviously, the Pharaoh was still punishing him, but to what extent?
I could have been killed for my act of defiance against him, yet I'm still alive Yugi thought. Am I just to suffer then? I suppose it's fitting, but why does he go to this trouble…why not just…
The slave boy dashed away his dark thoughts. Burying his head in his knees, he drew in a short breath. Come on, Yugi. You won't survive another day with stuff like that running through your head…
A few moments passed before Yugi was startled by his door being opened and a familiar face popping in to greet him.
"Ryou!"
The white haired boy pressed a finger to Yugi's lips as he whispered "Shhh…they'll hear." Yugi blinked in confusion.
"You're not the one that usually brings me water…has the Pharaoh changed his mind?" he asked.
Ryou shook his head. "I can't stand seeing you like this, Yugi…" he touched Yugi's face with gentle fingers. "You can't go on like this for much longer. I want to help you."
Yugi noticed the other boy was holding a bowl of fruit under his arm, and he offered it to him. A concerned expression flowed across Yugi's face.
"Ryou…did you steal this?" he whispered. "Do you know what will happen to you if you're caught stealing?!"
Ryou shoved it closer towards Yugi. "Just eat it. Please. Don't worry about me."
Yugi hesitated, his stomach rumbling as he eyed the fresh food in front of him. He could eat it and the Pharaoh wouldn't know…
But instead he pushed it away.
"Take it back to the kitchen and quick, Ryou! Before you get caught…" Yugi begged him.
Ryou was taken aback. "Yugi, you need to eat! You're going to starve to death!" he whispered as angrily as he could.
Yugi shook his head. "If that is what my punishment shall be, then so be it. I will not defy the Pharaoh for my own gain, and I won't let you be punished because of me!"
Ryou was shocked. He couldn't believe how adamant this boy was. None of the other slaves would have been able to resist such an offer after suffering like he did, including himself, no matter what the cost to the one who stole from the Egyptian king. He was at a loss for words.
Seeing the sun peeking through the windows and fearing the Pharaoh's eminent awakening, Yugi jumped up and pushed Ryou out of his little cubby toward the kitchen down the hall. But as he stood, he felt his legs turn to jelly and his vision went completely white. His head blank and his body heavy as lead, the boy couldn't hold himself up. Reaching out, he clutched Ryou's tunic as he stumbled on the carpet.
"You need to go…now…nng…before they…" Yugi pitched forward and fell face first on the ground, his body finally giving out. The world went from white to black and Yugi let himself be taken by the darkness' embrace. He couldn't hear Ryou's voice trying to reach him or the trembling hand on his back trying to wake him; the boy was already too far gone.
~…***…***…~
Floating again. It had been a long time since Yugi felt the thrill of flying through the air. Not since he had been taken from the fields. His body felt so light, so free. It was as if a huge weight was lifted off his shoulder and thrown away; forgotten.
Am I dead?
As if to answer his question, the white puffy clouds around him suddenly began flying past and the adrenaline of falling came over Yugi as he plummeted toward the ground. The wind whipped past his face and he tried to scream; but his voice was empty. As he fell, he soon noticed a familiar figure lying on the ground below him: the same one as in his dreams before. Except this time, he recognized him. It was a face Yugi had only seen once and yet was so etched into his memory: the face of the Pharaoh.
As he realized the man in his dreams had been the Pharaoh all along, Atem's eyes opened to greet Yugi's and he fell right through him, hearing the mysterious voice once again:
Aibou…
~…***…***…~
The boy jolted awake gasping for air, his eyes bulging having not realized the dream was over. But he quickly came to his senses when he realized he was lying on a small bed…
…with a strange man hovering over him.
The man was dressed in a long, white robe and a large turban covering his head. He was holding an ankh carved out of gold up to Yugi's forhead. That's the same material my treasure was made of…
The man's emotionless eyes blinked as he retracted the ankh and placed it around his neck. "I apologize for startling you, child."
Yugi sat up keeping his blanket covering his lap. He noticed his stomach was a bit larger than usual and could detect the taste of vegetable soup in his mouth. He smacked his lips and swallowed, realizing someone had fed him while he had been unconscious. But even with the tantalizing distraction, he turned his attention to the strange man still standing at the side of his bed who spoke in a mysterious way. His voice gave off a sense of ancient wisdom.
"Allow me to introduce myself, child. My name is Shadi."
"Oh…I'm-"
"Yugi Mutou," Shadi interrupted him. "I know much about you."
The man expected the look of surprise and confusion on the child's face. "I am a keeper of a millennium item," he explained as he touched the ankh hanging from his neck. "Two in fact, as I have been trusted with them by the Pharaoh. Just as I protect them, I also protect the tomb of the pharaohs where the mortal bodies of the many past pharaohs lie. I have protected them for many, many generations…"
Yugi cocked his head to the side. But he doesn't look very old…and the current Pharaoh has been in power since I was little. How can that be?
Unable to bring himself to ask, Yugi listened intently as the man continued. "I have been watching from the shadows for a long time, child. Watching many things; my Pharaoh, his servants, and especially you. May I ask you, child…do you believe you are an ordinary slave?"
Yugi was unsure how to answer. "What do you mean?"
"You've had a certain dream recently."
"How…how do you know about that?"
Shadi grasped his ankh. "This millennium item allows me to see into the minds of others and alter them as I wish. With this, I was able to let you dream once again…of the prophecy."
The boy's face grew more confused. "Millennium items? Prophecy?"
Shadi began to explain. "Child, in this world there are seven golden items with magical ancient powers. They can only be used by certain individuals who possess the ability. I am one of them, as is the Pharaoh."
Surprised, Yugi asked, "He has a millennium item?"
"That pyramid he wears from his neck; the millennium puzzle. It holds great unknown power that has been passed down from pharaoh to pharaoh like the other items. Since several years ago, its power has been dormant. However,recently the millennium puzzle has been reacting to something. I have sensed it calling, crying out. The other items have begun to do the same."
Yugi shifted on the bed, pulling his knees in close. "But what does any of this have to do with me?"
Shadi locked eyes with the boy and spoke in a very serious tone. "There is a prophecy that the true power of the Pharaoh will be unlocked and that a child will be the spark to a chain of events leading to history being rewritten. YOU are the child of prophecy, Yugi."
The slave boy sat dumbfounded at what he was hearing. Him? A rewriter of history? It couldn't be…
"But…I'm just a slave boy…a nobody…" Yugi muttered.
"Do you really believe that, child? Do you think your dream means nothing?"
Yugi cringed. He had been dreaming about the Pharaoh for years now without even realizing couldn't be coincidence. Perhaps there was some meaning to it…
Seeing the boy had begun to accept himself, Shadi turned to leave. "You are the key to the Pharaoh, child. It is your destiny, your fate, to bring about a great change in the world. Your task is a heavy burden for someone as young as yourself, but I can tell you are strong."
Yugi hopped out of bed, feeling strength coming back into his legs, and chased after Shadi. "Where are you going? Please, I feel so lost…tell me what I am I supposed to do!" he pleaded.
Shadi shook his head. "I cannot stay. I must return to the royal tomb where I will continue to watch the world from afar. It is not usually my place to interfere as I have today with you. But fear not, child. Fate will allow you to understand my words one day, this I am sure of. You will find the answers you seek."
He hesitated at the doorway, glancing back at Yugi. "A storm is coming, child. You had best prepare yourself for it. Remember that things are not always as they seem."
And with that, the strange man disappeared.
Crushed by the weight of the information Shadi had just placed on him, Yugi dropped to his knees and let out a sigh. Apparently it was loud enough that a girl came running into the room from behind Yugi, who turned around to face her when he heard her footsteps. She wore a white skirted tunic and a crown-like headpiece on top of her long brown hair. Little black markings were under her eyes and she had a very happy expression on her face that immediately made Yugi feel a little fuzzy inside.
"You're finally awake! Oh, thank the gods!"
She ran over to him and helped him up. "I was really worried about you, I'm so sorry you had to go through that for so many days…and you were so thin to start with too."
In one hand, she had a bowl of soup. Probably the same soup Yugi tasted in his mouth earlier. She offered it to him, but Yugi hesitated.
The girl smiled warmly. "It's for you to eat. Pharaoh's orders. When you passed out in the hallway, another servant brought you here and told the Pharaoh about the situation. He came here himself and told us to feed you and help you get your strength back."
That must've been Ryou who brought me… "Wait…you said 'us'?"
As if on cue, a tall man stepped into the room from the same doorway the girl had entered in. He was dressed elegantly in a white robe with gold adornments and headpiece. His eyes were dark and serious, but kind.
"We're the Pharaoh's personal healers. I'm Mana, and he's my master, Mahad." Yugi greeted the man with a nod and Mahad did the same. "Masterfed you earlier while you were asleep, using magic so you wouldn't choke. He and I were able to heal you enough to keep you on your feet, but you still need to eat in order to regain all your energy. The Pharaoh ordered us to feed you, so please. Eat."
With the reassurance of Mana, Yugi dove into the bowl of soup and began wolfing it down.
"Slow down, Yugi. You'll give yourself a stomach ache," Mahad nagged him.
Reluctantly, he ate slower and eventually filled his stomach. It was a wonderful feeling that he hadn't felt in years. When he was finished, Yugi gave his bowl to Mana.
"Thank you so much…"
Mana nodded, then sighed sadly. "We heard what happened to you, Yugi…after the events at the meeting…"
The boy winced. Mana got up and hugged him carefully. "And now you've survived this ordeal…you've been through so much Yugi…"
She released him with tears in her eyes. "But the Pharaoh ordered that as soon as you woke and were fed to go to the throne room…and return to his side."
Yugi clenched the chain still around his neck, remembering Shadi's words. If I really am the one from the prophecy, then I have to believe in the Pharaoh. I will stay by him as his servant. It is my duty to do so, no matter what.
The slave boy nodded and thanked both Mana and Mahad for saving him. "Don't worry, I'll be ok," he said with a smile. Then he left the healing room and took off down the corridor toward the throne room where the Pharaoh was waiting.
So many thoughts ran through his head and his pace slowed, heart pounding in his chest. There's probably more suffering on the way for me for one reason or another…but I'll survive it. Prophecy or not, I have a duty to my king. I am in no position to complain or to beg forgiveness. But I do not regret doing what I did to save Honda. I'd withstand it all over again if it meant he would live…
…Is this the power Shadi spoke of? The power of courage? Whatever the case, I will believe in Shadi's words. Does the Pharaoh know of the prophecy? He doesn't seem to. If he did, would he be trying to kill me this way? Or is that really what he's doing? I know so little…I can only hope and pray that I'll find a sign…
Yugi approached the huge doors leading into the throne room. Two guards stood at the entrance and acknowledged him, gesturing for him to go in. With trembling fingers, he pressed his hands to the door.
Courage…I must have courage for myself…and my Pharaoh.
His self-motivation stopped his trembling and he pushed the doors open, entering the throne room. He paced himself down the nearly pitch black obsidian floor towards the Pharaoh loafing in his throne. Yugi's copper chain clinked as it was dragged along the floor behind the boy as he walked, echoing off the walls. The king noticed the boy's presence and righted himself somewhat as he approached. Yugi remembered his place and kept his eyes on the floor, kneeling before the throne. Atem's foot bounced over his crossed legs and he clicked his tongue.
"So they've healed you, have they?" he asked with an irked tone.
"Yes, my Pharaoh. My absence was unacceptable, but I am now well enough to serve you. I will try harder, my Pharaoh, if your majesty would allow it," Yugi expressed himself to the king.
The Pharaoh scoffed. Damn this slave he thought. He never made an advance on my life even when he could have, even when he was in so much pain. In fact, he made no acts of defiance against me at all…even refusing the food from that other servant boy. Neither of them could have noticed me listening from the other side of my door, so it couldn't have been staged. For all I know he could have gone on like that until he , perhaps he didn't even have the strength to do so if he wanted to…no…no this slave boy…he's different from the others…it's going to be harder than I thought to break him.
Maybe he really is…
Atem pinched his leg. No! he denied his own half thought. This prophecy stuff is nonsense. Ridiculous! He isn't even aware of the possibility of what he could be. He probably thinks my starving him was part of his punishment for the outburst during that meeting. Then again, what if his real demeanor is that of a slave who would rise against me and cut me down where I stand? I won't allow such a thing. I will test him once more, even harsher this time than before. I swear to the gods I will make him cave to whatever darkness is in his heart.
A sly grin came over the Pharaoh's face.
And that's when I'll snuff his tiny little life out.
~…***…***…~
THANK
THE
GODS
Guys, thank you SO MUCH for waiting this long. With the last three weeks of school, graduation, a convention, and two overseas trips coming up in the next month, SHIT GOT REAL BUSY. BUT I FINISHED IT
And don't worry, I got the outline for the next chapter all done, next five or six chapters actually so they should go fast when I get a few hours of "critical writing requirements" fulfilled at my house or elsewhere.
Atem: Damn peasant, making them wait so long for another chapter. *scoffs*
Yugi: Why do you do this to me writer *sobs*
Atem: Shut up, slave boy. Come along *grabs chain*
Yugi: Welp, looks like I gotta go. *dragged off somewhere*
Writer: Have fun with Atem's next challenge Yugi!
Yugi: T-T
Shadi: -watching all of this from the tomb like a creeper-
So thanks again guys, and don't worry! There's gonna be come cutesy stuff coming up soon. Don't think I forgot about it. Just developing some drama and suspense so it's not all MWAH MWAH HANKY PANKY xD Hopefully it will be to your liking. Hope you guys liked this chapter, I'll expect to have the next one up within a week. T-T
Leave a review if you'd like! They really, really, really keep me motivated to write and I love hearing what you guys think, good or bad. :D
Stay tuned for the next chapter!