"3,000 years may pass
You can kiss other lips
But I'll never forget you
But I'll never forget you"
- I Will Never Forget You, Enrique Iglesias
π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©π©
Returning back to her hotel that evening Mana decided to soak in her room's bathtub. Ra knew how dirty and exhausted she felt after her activity all day and her weird encounter with the CEO.
Kicking her shoes as she entered her room, Mana immediately went towards the bathroom to get the bathwater ready. She checked for the water to be at a perfect temperature before walking out and retrieving her nightgown.
Mana was about to walk back into the bathroom before she stopped and admired the view from her balcony. The moon was in full display tonight. It truly was beautiful.
Feeling that a bit of fresh air wouldn't be bad, Mana walked towards the balcony to open her doors. Cool night breeze entered the room shortly and so did Mr. Muto's talking.
"Yes, Yugi my boy, I'm alright. Has your mother arrived yet?"
Mana chuckled at the old man's acting. He was so professional and respectful but when he was alone talking to his grandson, he turned soft. Realizing she was praying on his balcony conversation she made her way back to her bathroom.
Passing by the coffee table she had placed the lotus flower she had found Mana stopped walking. Something about that flower was driving Mana nuts but nonetheless, she shook her head.
At that moment Mana saw some sort of flashback.
She was sitting on a well, besides someone wearing a long cream dress. Soft pale hands caressed her right ear as they placed a lotus flower there.
"Oh Kisara! How did you know I love lotus flowers?" she gasped happily.
The girl laughed, "Oh really? I didn't know! It's not like I'm your best friend or something!"
Both girls laughed.
"Let me guess, your favorite flower is anemone?" she asked her friend sarcastically before they heard sharp footsteps walking towards them.
"Oh looks like your lover found us." she teased Kisara before two figures appeared and the flashback ended.
Staring at the flower in terror, Mana grabbed it and placed it away somewhere where she couldn't see it easily.
"What in Ra's name was that." Mana whispered to herself before walking back to the bathroom.
πππππππππππππππππ
As Mana soaked in warm water she couldn't stop replaying the flashback she just experienced a few moments ago. It felt so real but that couldn't be true. She didn't know those people.
She never met any Kisara to begin with.
"I must be going insane." Mana whispered before she laid down on the tub and let herself be underwater in peace.
"Prince!" she yelled as she felt something cold slip down her back.
She turned around and sure enough, a figure of a young boy, no older than thirteen years old, laughing.
"You will pay for that!" she yelled as she splashed water back at him.
"Oh it's on!" he yelled back before they both began to splash water at each other. Both were soaked yet Mana didn't mind. Today was the last day of summer before harsh temperatures would arrive and her friend would be taken to Atlantis to study for a while.
"What in Ra's name are you both doing in the river?!" someone yelled angrily from afar.
"Uh oh." they both said at the same time before they began to run across the river towards the other side.
"Don't you both dare runaway! I saw you both! I saw you! Halt! Halt!"
The young boy laughed as he grabbed her hand and ran. Pulling her along with him.
"Catch us if you can!" she yelled back before they both were levitated from the sand and onto the air.
"Rats." they both cursed as a tall figure appeared riding a horse.
Gasping for air, Mana took in sharp breathes as she sat straight against the bathtub. "What the hell was that." she whispered, looking down at her wrinkled skin hands.
πππππππππππππππππ
As Mana slept that night, rolled in a taco with her blankets, she kept groaning at the dreams she was experiencing.
"Prince," she whined as the figure stopped writing on his parchment.
"Shh, if our other best friend finds out we're talking during lessons he's going to let us have it." he replied, yet Mana could sense the grin behind his answer.
"Then let us have it." she replied back with a smirk. The figure was silent for a moment before whispering, "What do you have in mind?"
"I am craving some figs."
The young boy chuckled, "You and figs. You know where to meet right?"
She smirked, "I'm hurt. It was my hiding place first you know?"
"Yes I do, but it's not yours anymore." with that he raised his hand and asked to go to the restroom.
Mahad narrowed his eyes but Mana just gave him a bored look and twirled her pencil around. With a nod as an answer to his request, the young boy got up and walked out the room.
Leaving the door a bit open on his way out, enough for someone small to crawl in and out. Perfect for Mana. Slowly she waited until Mahad turned around and resumed reading an ancient scroll of magic before she lowered herself down her desk. She began to silently crawl towards the door and gave silent signs of pleads to any student who looked at her oddly.
Using Mahad's turned back at her full advantage she dashed out the door, unnoticed and began to run silently down the corridor.
A soft giggle escaping her lips as she made her way up the stairs and towards their secret hiding space.
πΏπΏπΏπΏπΏπΏπΏπΏπΏπΏπΏπΏπΏπΏπΏπΏπΏ
As Mana ate her porridge that morning in peace, a frantic knock was heard from the door. "Coming!" she replied, walking towards it with a worried look.
It was just six of the morning.
Surprised that Mr. Muto was the one who knocked, Mana asked, "Is something wrong Mr. Muto?"
He looked worried as he answered, "The museum called. Apparently something happened to the Nameless Pharaoh's tomb." Mana's eyes widened as her heart began to beat faster.
"No, not the Nameless Pharaoh" she prayed silently.
"What occurred?" she asked, preparing herself for the worst news.
Mr. Muto took a deep breath before he looked at her dead in the eye. "I need you to promise me that you won't freak out."
Mana stayed silent. What was he about to say? What could possibly freak her out?
"Mana, please. Promise me."
Mana blinked. She looked back in Mr. Muto's eyes, replying in a serious tone, "I give you my word Mr. Muto."
He took in a deep breath, looking very uncomfortable.
"There is no easy way to say this but," he grimaced, "the Nameless Pharaoh's coffin has fresh scratches from the inside. As if the mummy was trying to escape from it."
All that was heard after that was the sound of Mana's glass plate, shattering against the wooden floor.
πππππππππππππππππ
Walking into the museum Mana and Mr. Muto both were escorted to the underground mummy preservation area.
"Mr. Muto," Mana began as the man gave her his undivided attention.
"Yesterday when the CEO-"
His eyes widened, "Oh! That's right! I forgot to inform you that he cancelled his visit a few moments after I left. He called me as head of the team to report that he was stuck in a meeting and would not be able to make it." He stopped talking at Mana's shock expression.
"Why, what happened?" he asked.
Mana was frozen solid. If that wasn't the CEO then who could he have been? Nobody was allowed access to enter the valley of archaeologists findings, especially a newly discovered palace surrounded and protected by government police.
Just who was the mysterious man that she met yesterday?
"Nothing Mr. Muto. I'm just very tired." she apologized, giving him a soft smile. He nodded before they both continued their way towards the Nameless's Pharaoh's Tomb.
As they stepped inside the mummy preservation someone spoke, "Mr. Muto, you finally arrived."
Mr. Muto turned and gave a polite nod. "Good morning CEO Kaiba."
Mana turned around and stared at the tall man before her. He was tall and had brown hair but what caused Mana to stare at him was his eyes.
They were so cold and unfazed.
"Mana, allow me to introduce you to our sponsor from Kaiba Corps; Mr. Seto Kaiba."
Mana gave him a bow as she introduced herself. "It is an honor meeting you CEO. Thank you for sponsoring this expedition."
He looked at her and gave a silent nod.
"Is the tomb ready for us to inspect?" Mr. Muto asked the CEO. Seto turned and looked at a group of scientists who gave him a nod of confirmation.
"We're clear to see. Follow along." with that Seto turned and began to walk towards the coffin.
πΆπΆπΆπΆπΆπΆπΆπΆπΆπΆπΆπΆπΆπΆπΆπΆπΆοΎ
"Look at these scratches." Mr. Muto whispered in shock. Mana nodded, evident that whoever scratched that tomb was indeed a mad man or animal.
It was as if someone was placed inside that coffin in the most inhuman way.
"No one was in this room from six of the evening till five of the morning. Either someone entered here unauthorized or that thing is possessed. And based on surveillance camera footage, there has been no report on human activity." a scientist spoke looking at the coffin a bit frightened.
"Perhaps that's why he named the Nameless Pharaoh." Seto whispered a bit too loudly, making everyone turn to look at him.
He looked unbothered at their looks as he continued, "Maybe history had this all wrong. Perhaps he was renamed Nameless Pharaoh as a punishment. So he wouldn't be remembered."
Everyone looked at each other, in a way agreeing at his comment before Mana spoke out, "No! That can't be the reason why he was renamed the Nameless Pharaoh!"
Seto looked at her, intrigued yet mad at the idea of someone standing up against him.
"Explain." he replied coldly.
Mana curled her first together as she stood her ground. "He was adored by his people! He helped change Egypt for the better! There has to be another reason why he was renamed Nameless Pharaoh!"
"Look at the scratches Mana. That isn't evidence of someone with a good heart. The ancient Egyptian gods are punishing his soul even in his dead form." His eyes went back to his scientists and ordered; "Put that coffin back. We do not wish to mess with gods and their prisoners."
As Mana saw the team of scientists put the coffin's lid on she recalled Yami's words from yesterday.
His gaze is cold and unflinching, "Does he? Is he or his father as great as people paint him to be? Or maybe, sometimes the past is best forgotten."
"No," she whispered angrily as she watched the coffin of the Nameless Pharaoh be taken away to another.
"There is another reason why," she whispered in despond as Mr. Muto began to talk to her.
"What a failure of a king he was. Perhaps this is why his father, Pharaoh Akhenamkhanen, died when he was just sixteen years old. He was ashamed at the disgrace of son he had before the gods."
"Unlike the powerful and undefeated Abidos the Third."
Another distant dream flooded into Mana's mind as she heard their conversation.
"Do you think I'll be a great Pharaoh as my father?" he asked, a hint of fear in his voice. Knowing he was at his weakest and vulnerable point Mana embraced him.
"Yes, I know you will." she whispered, tears threatening to spill down her face.
"He was the only family I had left." he finally whispered before Mana hugged him tighter. "That's not true," she began, "You have Mahad, Seto, Isis, Shada, Karim, and...me."
He hugged her back as he wept silently.
πππππππππππππππππ
"I see you have taken a liking for that bracelet." someone spoke, startling Mana. She turned to see who the individual was and smiled at the woman.
"Yes, it's beautiful." Mana answered turning back her gaze at the bracelet made of gold and mounted with lapis lazuli scarab.
"It is named the bracelet of Shoshenq II, from the tomb NRT III, Tanis. During the Third Intermediate Period, 22nd Dynasty."
"During the reign of Shoshenq II, ca 887-885 BC." Mana replied with a smile.
"My, you sure know your history." the woman commented with a smile before extending her hand.
"Ishizu Ishtar, museum curator."
Mana smiled, "Mana, archaeologist."
"Ah, are you by any chance part of the Kaiba Corp archaeologist team?" Ishizu asked, making Mana nod.
"What do you think about the scratches?" she asked.
Mana frowned. "How do you know about that? That's confidential." Mana asked in a hush tone, raising her eyebrow.
"I work for the Egyptian government agency, the Supreme Council of Antiquities." she replied, which made Mana frown.
"I do not wish to speak about that, if you don't mind." she replied looking away and walking towards another artifact.
"No worries. I just wanted your opinion on the matter." Ishizu spoke in an apologetic tone.
Mana did not reply. She kept studying the artifact in front of her. It was a lamp in the form of three lotus flowers. She noticed it was made of alabaster.
"A lotus flower." Mana hummed, making Ishizu look at her.
"Yes, they are sacred flowers in Egypt." she replied. Mana chuckled at the memory from yesterday evening.
"I found a lotus flower yesterday, you know?" Mana spoke gently.
"A lotus flower?" Ishizu asked, a bit confused as the work department Mana worked in was in sand and dust. No place nor conditions for lotus flowers to bloom.
"Yes, it just appeared." Mana confirmed.
"Well though they are sacred flowers, they are also good to bathe in. It softens your skin and reduces your anxiety." Ishizu added.
"Is that so?" Mana asked, turning to look at her.
"Yes."
"I will try it soon. My anxiety has escalated to its peak ever since I arrived here." Mana revealed, making Ishizu look at her sadly.
Mana began to walk away when she turned and looked at Ishizu.
"About your question earlier,"
Ishizu looked at her, intrigued at her response.
Mana sighed, "I believe there's another reason why those scratches appeared. He wasn't a bad pharaoh. I refuse to believe that."
Closing her eyes for a second she looked back at Ishizu.
"I will find that last Millennium Item and restore his name. Even if it's the last thing I do!"
With that Mana turned and walked away, leaving Ishizu a feeling of gratitude and admiration.
π°π°π°π°π°π°π°π°π°π°π°π°π°π°π°π°π°
That night, Mana had the most peculiar dream she had ever experienced. Every time she had these dreams, they felt distant. A memory she couldn't reach.
Yet tonight's dream felt different. It did not feel like a memory.
In fact, it felt as if she was living it.
She was walking in a palace. Not just any palace.
She was in the Court of Amenhotep III in the Luxor Temple.
Looking down at her outfit, she wore a comfortable short white knee dress and pastel color flat shoes.
"Thank Ra I found you!" someone spoke worriedly appearing a few feet away from her.
"Prince?"
Mana gasped at the words that escaped from her mouth.
How did she know he was the prince? What was she doing here? Who was he to begin with?
Mana refused to look at the young man nearing her and turned her back towards him.
"No, pleaseβ¦" he whispered.
"Not you too." she heard him whisper in a dejected tone.
"Pharaoh," she began but was startled at the way he kneeled before and refused to look at her.
With widened eyes, Mana practically yelled, "What are you doing Pharaoh!"
Still with his head down, he replied, "Stop. Do not call me that."
"Pharaohβ¦" she began but he shook his head.
"Please forgive me for not spending as much time with you. Ever since my coronation I have rarely seen you and-"
"Pharaoh please stand up this distance! Ra! What would the gods think seeing you kneeling before a woman lower your status in the sacred temple of Luxor, where just a few days ago you were crowned Pharaoh?" Mana cried out as he refused to stand up.
"I am no god. I bleed, I make errors, I love, I cry. I am a mere mortal as everyone else... as you."
Seeing that she didn't acknowledge him he grew tired and said, "As your Pharaoh I command you-"
"No," she whispered feeling his heart break.
"Not with me," she continued. Mana closed her eyes, refusing to let her tears out. She felt him stand up and grab her hands before she felt him press something against them.
"Figs," she whispered before she looked down at the fruits in her hands. With that Yami's words whispered across the sky; "Let your dreams guide you."
Mana immediately recalled Yami's words from the other day, "A fig treeβ¦" Yami whispers.
Mana turns to face him with an amused expression.
"What do you mean⦠we never found any fig trees here."
Staring at the figs in her hands, Mana begins to turn her head up to see the prince when a bright light hits her eyes making her yelp.
Gasping, she wakes up and sits up. Droplets of sweat fall down her face as her heart beats rapidly. Almost as if it was about to rip itself out from her chest.
"The fig tree," is all Mana whispered as she stared at the darkness of her room.