Chapter XXXIII: Implications

Yami sat up in the den so quickly his head throbbed. He bristled uncertainly and looked around. Atem was awake, sitting outside on the beach and watching a couple of red animals with large claws move about. He didn't look interested in anything but watching, as if they were disgusting rather than appetizing. Yami felt it before Atem turned his head. He was aware Yami was awake, and when he looked over Yami ducked his head and picked his way awkwardly around Mana and Valon to prevent them waking. Yugi snored softly a few paces away and Atem's parents were fast asleep, tangled together. Yami jumped over Valon's beak and moved to Atem's side.

"Do you feel that, too?"

Yami looked away from his father and took a seat, debating answering him. It would have been so easy to pretend he didn't know what he was talking about. Instead he drew a breath, considered his words, and finally said, "Yes."

Atem studied him intently, then sighed. "I can't figure out what it is," he admitted. He got up and paced forward a few feet. He sniffed the red creature, which snapped a pincer at his beak, and then flicked it with his tongue to send it flying. It rolled and eight much shorter legs began to kick wildly in an effort to right itself. Atem used a claw to flip it back over and then paced beyond it as well.

Yami felt his stomach knot. "Another hatchling is dead."

Atem looked over slowly, blinking. "In the Lightning Clan camp?"

"Yes."

He was silent for a long minute. "One of Seto's?"

"No."

Atem looked away. "The sister?"

"Yes." Yami flinched and shuffled his paws. "S-she died a few hours ago."

His father stopped short and turned his head to stare once more. "What?" he said slowly, eyes narrowing. "How do you know that?"

Yami shook his head. "I don't know. I just… I sensed it. Something happened when I was waking up. I don't remember what I saw—o-or even heard, but I…I know that much."

Atem stared at him for so long Yami felt his scales might melt. He ducked his head and looked away, shifting his weight and trying to make himself smaller. Atem turned away a few minutes later.

"Okay."

Yami looked at him sideways. "Okay?"

"If you don't know, you don't know. I won't accuse you otherwise." Atem glanced at him again. "Even if you knew how to control it, it doesn't mean it would be useful later. It is not to say, either, that all of these abilities of yours will be permanent. It's possible things will change and you won't keep half or know what to do with them."

He tilted his head. "I don't know if I want that."

Atem hummed and wandered past another of the little red animals. It snapped at his paw but Atem didn't pay it any mind. "It's also possible it won't. I don't know the future. You said your understanding of it is limited to what choices are made at the moment you search. I can't tell you whether one will fade or not."

Yami shivered. "I don't want any of them to fade," he blurted, ashamed of his panicked tone. "I want… I want to know how to use them and keep them."

His dad looked over after a moment. "I guess then you'll have to try using them as often as you can." Atem considered him, then turned away. "I don't know how much that will help or hinder you later, but perhaps that's what you should do."

"Hinder me?"

"Jaden is reliant upon his abilities for interactions much of the time. I know that much. And all three of them try to see what is to come whenever they get the chance. The world happens around them, but never with them." Atem paused and turned back. "I don't want you to follow in their paws. They're too reliant upon their abilities. I want you to remain reliant upon yourself as well."

Yami frowned slightly. He wanted to say nothing would happen and Atem was worried without reason, but the words died in his throat. If Ironheart had truly seen the future in regards to himself and Atem, there was no ground to doubt that. He couldn't see the future where Atem was involved, and his scope was incredibly limited as far as he knew. The dreams had been flashes and even then he didn't recall the majority of it. As he'd told Atem, much of the dreams had been torn from his thoughts the moment he'd awoken. He didn't remember much of it. He just knew the dragonet had died.

He hadn't seen who had done it.

And he didn't know that they would strike again.

He knew nothing beyond the realization another life was lost.

And that was tragic no matter the age.

Of course, being defenseless usually garnered more alarm than a dragon struck down in battle. It was almost impossible to overlook an age. There was a huge difference in that regard.

"You'll teach me…r-right?"

"I had assumed I would when you wanted." He had begun picking his way along to the water again. "I just didn't know when you'd ask."

Yami blinked. "Oh." He went forward a few steps. Was that why they had never tried before? He remembered Atem saying they should, but then his father had made no move to, and Yugi had been more than happy to turn a blind eye to the possibility of Yami needing to learn then. "If you could see things, wouldn't you want to know the future, too?"

"No," Atem said so bluntly it made Yami bristle. "I wouldn't. The future is meant to happen with you, not around you. I wouldn't want my head buried in the task of watching water all day to see events in other dragons' lives. Perhaps if it was so clear and without deviation that I could see the few things I might want, then yes. But I could never devote myself to watching."

Yami shook his head. He didn't understand why anyone would want to do that. It seemed so lonely. "What would you look for?"

Atem was quiet for a moment, then looked over slowly. His eyes narrowed briefly before he turned away again. "You and Yugi; perhaps Timaeus as well. I wouldn't care for much beyond that."

"What about for yourself?"

"No. I'll handle it as it comes. I don't need to see my future before it happens."

"You're not curious?"

"I never was."

Yami could feel the truth in that statement, the blank certainty that came with a tired argument. Had he and Timaeus talked about it before? Or he and Yugi? Maybe he and his siblings had discussed it?

Yami looked away. "When you were younger, who would have you watched for?"

"My parents." Atem looked over again, studying. "I would have watched for them. My brothers deserve to rot."

He nodded. They did. He would never have argued the fact.

"Yami?"

He blinked and looked up, bewildered. "Yes?"

Atem was quiet for a long minute. He seemed to consider, then shy away, and circle back to his former thought. After a moment of silence he looked away and shook his head. "Never mind. It doesn't matter." He got to the edge of the water and took a seat, studying the sky overhead and lashing his tail for a split second. "Do you know where Jaden and Yusei are currently?"

Yami frowned. "I don't… I can't see them like that. I don't know how to track them."

"Okay." Atem looked over abruptly, eyes widening. "That day Jaden summoned me—did you feel it, too?"

"Kind of, but it wasn't nearly as intense for me as it seemed for you." He paused, hesitating and ducking his head slightly when Atem sat up straighter. "I felt like he was prodding at me, but it might have been because I was next to you."

"You don't believe he knows you exist, right?"

"He would have come for me," Yami reminded him, though he wondered now. Did Jaden have an inkling? Had he come to the territory before saying they had to get rid of the female's nest but meant it as a warning for Atem to do the same to him? "And he hasn't. I don't think he knows."

Atem nodded slowly. "We need to keep it that way, no matter what."

"It can't stay hidden forever," he objected quietly, flinching when Atem snarled softly. "Eventually he's going to realize I exist. Everyone will at some point. We can't hide it forever. That's not…feasible."

His father scowled but nodded sharply and looked away. "You're right. I can't prevent it. Maybe it'd be best if he just knew. At least then if he strikes out, I can know when. He'll come as soon as he knows."

Yami bristled faintly. "If you fight him…don't kill him."

Atem stiffened, then glanced over slowly. "What makes you think I could lay a paw on him?"

Yami almost laughed, incredulous. And then he remembered. Atem didn't know. Atem had no idea. Yami grimaced. "Because you're stronger than him," he finally settled on. "And you have more to lose, which means you'll have to win."

"Is that so?"

"You wouldn't let anything happen to Yugi," he answered, searching his face. "And if Jaden strikes you down, he'll go for Yugi after."

"I'd protect you, too."

I'm not as important as Yugi. "I know." He shifted his weight and dodged past one of the angry red animals as it snapped a pincer at him. He looked over at it again and sniffed disinterestedly. "But it doesn't matter. You'll have to win. So you will. You've always won when you had to."

Atem was quiet for a long time. "Is that why I lost to Yugi?" he asked wryly.

"Yugi was never a threat. You knew that even then." Yami turned to him and dodged another snap of the red animal's pincer. He huffed and hurried over to Atem's side to avoid another. "Don't discount yourself. Jaden will lose if he goes against you. It's just a matter of whether it costs his life or not."

"And if it does?"

Yami looked away. "If he dies… I don't know what will happen, but I know it won't be good. It would be a thousand times worse if you were struck down, but it's for different reasons."

"You know a lot even when you pretend otherwise."

"I don't know everything and I don't know how or why things happen or what comes after. I just… I know some of it instinctively and other times I don't." He glanced at Atem sideways. The God Dragon was watching him, but his expression was guarded rather than upset. He seemed to be thinking, calculating and judging, and the gem on his forehead had turned a stunning white briefly. If he asked, Yami was sure Atem wouldn't be able to explain those festering thoughts. "All I know is that if you kill him, things are only going to get that much worse. I don't know why or how, but…"

"I didn't plan on killing him unless it became necessary."

"You can't afford to let it become necessary, Atem."

His dad narrowed his eyes. "Is that so?"

Yami bristled faintly and looked away, ducking his head again. He felt as if he'd overstepped, as if he deserved to be boxed upside the head for a single second. But it passed.

"If you say so, I'll believe you." Atem turned away. "But… I want you to return to Yugi and the others. Lay down again. Jaden is calling for me. Do not tell anyone you know what happened. I don't want word getting out that you may be divine as well."

Yami had barely a moment to open his mouth before Atem was airborne and gone from sight.

"What's happened?" Atem demanded, landing and shaking himself out. Jaden and Yusei turned around; Leviathan blinked and glanced over. The Sky Dragon fought a tremor, considering for a moment if asking was the wrong thing as they peered at him. But to take initiative meant they didn't get to beat around the bush and they wouldn't have a reason to suspect he knew somehow. If he hadn't asked, it would have been more suspicious, right?

They'd have the idea Atem saw the future or something of that manner. And if they got that idea, they'd pressure him to execute the ability where they wanted him to. He didn't have any such capability, and it was not as if he would force Yami to sit there and give him the answers they might have wanted.

"What?" he snapped when the silence stretched. "You summoned me. I am here."

Yusei grimaced. "It's… It's another hatchling death in the Lightning Clan camp. We don't know what happened and…" He looked away. "We weren't expecting you to come."

Atem blinked. "Am I being dismissed?"

It was exhilarating but also infuriating. Had he flown so far for this? And what of the idea he was unnecessary there? Was he meant to simply lay down and take that without argument? He'd never felt so indignant and confused all at once.

"No, no. That's not to say we didn't want you to come. We just… If—and this is a big if, Atem—your siblings are somehow involved, we didn't want you to be forced to deal with them."

He blinked again. "Seto wouldn't allow you to lay a paw on his nest as you're suggesting."

"We're all hopeful that isn't the case regardless. But if it is…"

"Then he'd rather I kill them than any of you," Atem stated simply. "He's too proud to let someone else kill his flesh and blood. It'd have to be me to do it."

Jaden tilted his head, eyes the color of sunset boring into Atem's face. "We'll keep that in mind then," he mumbled.

Atem glanced between the three of them, unsure. "Do you wish for me to leave?" he finally prompted when none of them spoke again. Jaden looked away, as if he wanted nothing more than to agree. Yusei grimaced again, and the Leviathan refused to make eye contact. "It doesn't matter to me if I do or not. If it will make things easier, I will go."

When no one made any attempt to keep him there, the Sky Dragon turned away and crouched to spring. "Then I suppose my attendance shall be considered given." He didn't bother to glance back as he took off.

"Someone's coming."

Yugi stopped short and spun around immediately, bristling. Mana and Valon had stopped playing with Yami the moment he spoke, and Atem whipped around with a confused look. Atem's parents stared at Yami with huge eyes.

"Who? Do you recognize them?"

Yami hesitated for a moment, tilting his head and considering. For a while he remained frozen, thinking hard, and finally looked to Atem. "I think it's Seto," he finally mumbled. He glanced at Yugi just as the Gandora bristled and snarled softly. Yami looked over his shoulder and back to Atem. "I'm pretty sure it's Seto."

Atem tilted his head. "You don't see him?"

"I… No. I don't know this territory. I can't see him or anyone else around here. And I don't… I can't see that far." He looked tired, maybe ashamed, and slowly turned away again. "But I can sense him. He's coming pretty quickly. I think he's approaching the valley in our territory."

Atem blinked and raised his head. "I'll meet him there."

"How about you don't?" Yugi answered sharply. "He can deal with whatever it is by himself. The last time he came around to ask for your help with anything, he was fleeing from Keith."

Yami looked between them. "I don't think it has to do with anything like that this time," he said quietly. He turned a pleading expression on Atem. "Maybe you should go meet with him."

He had the split second impulse to deny it. He didn't want to see Seto to begin with. But he knew better than to say so. Yugi would rally up in support of him remaining there and if he got enough ground, Atem would simply buckle to avoid the argument.

"Stay here."

He was gone before Yugi could open his mouth. He didn't look back, but he heard Yugi snarl with aggravation. His parents snickered softly and Yami said something, but Atem couldn't hear it. He assumed it was an apology but he couldn't be sure. And he didn't think it mattered. Yugi would shake it off relatively quickly. He wasn't one to remain angry.

He landed inches from Seto, startling him so badly the Felgrand sprang backwards with his teeth and claws braced to lunge. Atem didn't blink, staring coldly and studying him lazily. He didn't move even as Seto shook himself out to regain his composure and took several steps back to put space between them once more.

Seto peered at him, annoyed. "You could have announced yourself."

"I should hope your presence has explanation."

The irritation grew tenfold, but a spark of realization shot through Seto as well. He seemed to remember he was not in his own territory. He was the unwelcome guest, not Atem. The difference in before that moment and then was amazing. Seto froze in place, then put another few steps between them, and lowered his head the smallest degree. Atem didn't respond, watching him coldly.

He took another moment to compose himself, then growled, "Jaden is convinced it's one of mine killing the hatchlings."

Atem tilted his head. "Hatchlings?" he echoed.

"I know you know there have been two," he spat. "They dismissed you because you're family."

The God Dragon flicked his tail. "I chose to leave them to their investigation," he answered simply. "I have better things to do with my time. Checking a nest for another species of dragons and an estranged brother are not high on my priorities."

"Because Yugi is so important."

Atem wondered if he was deliberately avoiding saying Yami's name or implying he existed. It was smart if he was, but Atem had the feeling he'd already done some kind of damage. Kisara knew. And Seto still spoke to their brothers regularly. He knew that much. They'd all arrived in his territory like a pack of crows looking for fresh carrion not too long ago. If he'd told them of Yami, it was only a matter of time before someone else knew or one of them came to visit.

Although, should they, he finally had an excuse to kill them all.

The thought wasn't as potent as it used to be, when he'd been in agony and laying there hoping the infection in his side would finally kill him. But if it meant Yami and Yugi were protected, what did it matter? It would leave a disgusting taste in his mouth but he'd do it for the sake of ensuring their survival.

"Yes." He watched Seto impatiently. "Jaden believes it's one of yours? How long ago did this become the case?"

"He's been sidestepping the issue for a while now, but he finally chose to say so today." He raised his head. "I assume it was soon after they dismissed you."

Atem didn't take the bait. "Interesting."

"What's interesting?" Seto spat. "He means to kill your siblings."

"It's interesting he chose to tell you instead of just take action," Atem stated simply. He eyed him critically, refusing to so much as budge from his relaxed stance. Seto was bristling and snarling softly, glaring at him as if he meant to lunge forward and sink his teeth into his flesh. "I would have assumed the opposite. Why not eradicate the nest and then tell you why? The edicts were performed without explanation, especially when he turned on the Gandora species. Why should he explain himself now?"

Was he afraid of Atem?

Or was he afraid of Yusei?

Did he care that Yusei might protect them or side with Atem?

Atem shook his head. "Why are you bringing this to me?" he finally snapped. "I don't have control over them. Jaden will do what he wishes. Leviathan and Yusei will back him or oppose him. I have no paw in any of it."

"You've always been useless," Seto spat. "And I didn't come here to speak to you. I came to speak to Yami."

He raised his head, struggling not to snarl. "Why would I permit that?" he asked. He didn't want Seto anywhere near his son. Not that he could have prevented it if Yami got it in his head for whatever reason he wanted to see Seto. He forced himself not to bare his teeth and display his unease. "There's nothing you have to say to him that cannot be said in front of me."

"No one said anything about secrecy," Seto sneered. "I'll say it in front of you as well. I don't care one way or the other. But he's stronger than you. Anyone is stronger than you."

Atem watched him with a tilt of his head. It certainly seemed that way, despite whatever Ironheart or Yami claimed to the contrary. "What do you know of his strength?" he asked instead. "He doesn't even have abilities. He's just a hatchling."

"Then you're not a true God Dragon," his brother snarled. "No God Dragon could have offspring so weak they don't manifest abilities."

"Then I guess we were all wrong," Atem returned. "It is not as if Sky Dragons are not prone to physical malformations. Who's to say you didn't all just mislabel me?"

Seto stared at him for so long Atem almost thought he was considering it. And then he laughed aloud, spiteful and cold. "You would have died if you weren't. That side of yours, when it became so festered and oozed, would have killed you."

He almost demanded to know how he knew of that. But he'd told him himself when he'd struck his face and carved gaping holes into the side of his jaw when he'd come to his territory the first time.

"Perhaps." He narrowed his eyes. "Or maybe it wasn't so terrible as I always thought."

His brother snorted. "Right." He smirked and turned away. "Right."

Atem tilted his head. "Yami isn't here right now. Nor is Yugi."

"Did Yugi finally come to understand your worthlessness and take Yami with him when he left?" Seto snapped. "You don't seem to be keening with pain or so miserable you can't stand."

The God Dragon smirked. "No, of course not."

"Then what? Do you mean to tell me they're not here with you? Shocker. Yugi would have come running to try to defend his weak little mate had he been." He bore his teeth, annoyed. "And what of them? Where are they? They can't be far or you'd be much more upset than you are."

"Why should I be upset?" Atem dismissed. "I could kill you before you have the chance to recognize their absence. And it is not as if I am their keeper. They are free to wander the expanse of the territory should they wish. Considering Yugi is so close to the humans, he could even have taken Yami there."

"You wouldn't allow it. There's too much that could go wrong."

"They worship me. They'd worship Yugi and Yami alike."

Seto bristled and cast an anxious glance in the direction of the human village. He looked unnerved for a split second before he spun on him. "You wouldn't have allowed them to go there. The humans make you too anxious."

Atem smiled unpleasantly. "True," he relented. "But it's also true they are not here within the territory. I'm alone at the moment."

"You wouldn't do that," Seto snapped. "You worry too much about every little thing. You have no confidence. You wouldn't even accompany Jaden and the others for longer than necessary because you wanted to come back to Yugi. You…"

Atem watched the realization flash through his eyes. Seto blinked, raised his head further, stood slightly taller, and peered at him as if he didn't recognize him for a split second. They stared at each other for so long that Atem thought his eyes might cross.

"You're finally understanding," he growled. "It had nothing to do with Yugi. And I trust Yugi to know what he's doing regardless of what it is. I don't have to guard him, nor keep him in one place as you have suggested."

His brother stared at him for a long moment. "He was born during the eclipse?"

Atem didn't answer, refusing to put it into words. It seemed stupid to confirm or deny it, and he did not think it was worth trying to bond with Seto over the idea that they'd both had what could be considered scourges due to superstition. There was no reason for him to care what happened to Seto's nest but for the fact that they were related. And that did not offer much for him to lean on in regards to casting his sympathy or attention.

"Atem."

"What did Jaden say?"

"Atem—"

"What did Jaden say?"

His brother fell silent again for a long handful of minutes. Then he looked away, bristling faintly and scowling. He seemed as if he wanted to further the argument, but the words never came.

"He said it's likely one of mine because none of them can see who is doing this. And you are the only dragon in history to date they know of to be a blind spot."

Atem nodded slightly. "Yes."

"Is it because of you?"

He smothered a smirk. "You never can take responsibility for yourself, can you, Seto? It must always be my fault for everything. I'm glad to see this hasn't changed."

His brother bristled and stepped forward, snarling. "This isn't my fault. This all stems from you. You are the blind spot. You are the one who mated with a Gandora. You are the one who likely created an abomination."

Atem struck him so hard he hit the ground and rolled several yards. Blood splattered the ground and a tooth lay where Seto had just stood. He raised his head and tilted it, eyeing him coolly. "His name is Yami. His fathers are Yugi and I. He is my son. And if you ever so much as speak his name or look at him the wrong way, I will rip your head off. And I will pee on your severed skull," he said calmly. "Do not ever think you are worth the miniscule heartbeat it took to hit you."

Seto stumbled for his paws, mouth bleeding and several teeth wobbling when he exhaled. He looked over, snarling softly, and shook himself out on wavering limbs.

"As I recall, you said you wished to see and speak to him. If you so wished it, you wouldn't have spoken of him in that manner."

He stared at him, and for the first time his blue eyes lit with fear. "I have to speak to him."

Atem had the impulse to argue once more. He even thought for a moment to make him beg as he had once before. He had stood as stone still then, listening to him and feigning interest. And he'd waited until Seto had gone quiet for a moment before he'd struck him and gouged that scar into his face. It was faint—Seto had obviously taken care of it immediately upon fleeing—but it was there. It was a streak of pale silver-gray against his metallic golden scales. It ran in a set of four, encompassing the entire left side of his face. He'd nearly taken the eye out. He'd watched Seto scramble up, half-starved and tired, and told him never to come back or he'd kill him.

The threat apparently had not held the power he'd hoped.

Not only had he come back to pester him a second time, he'd returned and asked his aid now. He wanted to rip his wings off. He didn't need to care for him in any manner. He didn't need to try to fix a relationship that had never been.

As far as he was concerned, Seto, Malik and Bakura existed.

They'd once shared a nest with him.

They were brothers.

Beyond that, they could rot.

"What about?"

Seto blinked and stood up taller, seeming to realize Atem was granting him permission to speak again. He shook himself out, bristling a little, and hurried to say, "He's got abilities, right? He can… He's got to have something. I want him to…to feel the camp out and see who's doing this."

Atem stared. "You want me…to take my hatchling to a camp where two other hatchlings have already died?"

"It's not as if he might catch a disease."

"It's not as if the killer won't see him and possibly choose to make him a target, either," he responded coldly.

"You wouldn't let that happen. No parent would."

"No parent would usually allow their offspring to be declared possible murderers by a God Dragon, either."

Seto trembled, enraged, but didn't answer. Instead he peeled his lips back further to bare the ridges of his teeth and exhaled long and slow. "If this has to do with their relation to you, Atem, how long do you think you can keep Yami a secret?"

"You're much dumber than I believed prior if you are so stupid as to threaten to tell them of his existence."

"I wouldn't," Seto snapped, "because I do actually value the life of a hatchling."

"When they are related to you," Atem returned coldly. "You supported Jaden in the proposal of eliminating Keith's offspring."

"Their father was a menace."

"And you called your sibling an abomination. I fail to see the distinction."

Seto fell quiet for a moment, as if Atem had physically struck him once more. "He…" He struggled to pick his words, then shook his head and scowled. "Look, Atem. What I said doesn't matter."

"I believe it does. You spoke of my son that way. I don't quite think I forgive you and I would happily strike you down right now if I so had the chance. Don't tempt me and do not forget yourself, brother."

He snarled softly. "Look, Kisara—"

"Is the only reason I haven't chased you out for speaking badly of Yami," Atem snapped. "She's the only reason I even bothered to Bless your nest. She's the only reason I thought to protect them from Jaden when he came the day of their hatching. She is your only saving grace."

Seto bristled, fury flashing in his eyes. But he knew he wasn't strong enough to face Atem. He wouldn't have had a hope to fight him and survive if Atem turned on him fully. They were both aware of it. It had never been more apparent just how much Seto feared him.

"Look, as much as I love trading scathing remarks and seeing you scowl at me," Atem said slowly, "I don't know what you want from me. Yami doesn't have any powers. I don't know that he ever will manifest abilities. And I don't frankly care enough to subject him to visiting your camp and having so many eyes on him. He's still too small and young. And if word gets out that he exists, do you understand he'll be killed? Jaden will hunt him like a deer."

"That's what you're there for," Seto snarled. "You're his father. You do what you must to ensure he survives. If that means beating Jaden until he retreats—"

"And if he doesn't?"

"Kill him then."

"It's not so simple."

"Why not? He's just another dragon, deity or not. You could sever his head like the rest. You're all just flesh and blood, regardless of abilities." Seto smirked and shook his head. "No matter what happens, you're all fallible. No God Dragon is immortal. You'll all die one day. If you cut it short for him and another rises, who's to say it won't be better?"

Yami, Atem thought restlessly. Yami is the one to say it won't be better.

"I'm sure Yugi would support the choice."

"Yugi is not one for mindless, senseless violence, Seto. No matter what you might think of his species, he is not an advocate for endless blood and gore." Atem shifted his weight. "Regardless. Yami is too young and small to make that flight. And I won't risk his safety for the sake of proving your nest is not to blame for the two deaths that have happened."

"Do you want to be known to be related to the nest accused of murder?"

Atem snorted. "My reputation is so bloody and estranged, it would not surprise me if rumors spread that I myself have killed nests."

Seto stared. "Look, let me speak to Yami."

"Another time, if at all. He's gone. As I told you before. He and Yugi are not here."

"Atem, this isn't a game."

"I never implied it was. I'm telling the truth. They are not present."

Seto blinked and scowled. "Atem."

"And I will relay the message to Yami. He can choose then whether or not he wishes to help you." Atem didn't look away, stepping closer. "If you were smart, you'd leave now. Before I lose my temper and strike you down for speaking ill of him prior."