Chapter 16

Joey was shaking. His whole body was shaking despite his efforts to control it. He couldn't quite believe what he was being told. He stared at the man in front of him trying desperately not to punch him. It wasn't that he wanted to punch this man, but from the news they'd just received Joey's emotions were all over the place and he needed to release it somehow, which made the idea of punching something tempting. But he won't not punch Elijah, he was only trying to help. Elijah, who was standing in front of him, was wearing a rather apologetic look. Closing his eyes he took a long steading breath.

"I don't understand. Why can't you get to them?"

A sigh, "The ropes we have aren't long enough, so we are sure the drop is a lot bigger then we first expected."

"But we can't do nothing! We have to get down there."

Elijah's expression became slightly desperate, "I know but me and the professor have agreed that we're going to have to call in the rescue authorities. They are better equipped to deal with this kind of situation."

"And how long will that take?" Tristan asked, his tone angry, "They've already been down there for hours, we can't leave them much longer."

"I can't say but I will stress how important it is they get here soon."

Joey stepped forwards, they weren't entirely sure what he was about to do or say and it was possible he wasn't either. But they did not find out as Solomon stepped forward and placed a hand on Joey's arm, stopping him from doing anything. Solomon, tears in his eyes, turned to face Elijah.

"Just do what you have to. Let's just get them out of there."

Elijah smiled a sympathetic smile and nodded. He glanced at Tea, who was silently crying, before turning and hurrying back inside the tunnel. With Elijah out of sight, Joey spun around and marched away from the others. He was at his breaking point, he needed to release some of what he was feeling or else who knew what he would do. His eyes scanned around before locking on the bonnet of one of the nearby jeeps. Marching over to it he slammed his fists down as hard as he could with a yell. The clang on the metal bonnet rang out when his fists made contact, a sound which did seem to release some of what he was feeling. Behind him the others were watching him, but they didn't dare speak in case he did something else. After a fair few moments, he finally turned to face the others.

"No matter what it takes we have to get to them."

Tea, wiping her eyes, nodded, "We will Joey. We'll get to them."

Letting out another breath Joey's gaze travelled upwards where it fell on an eagle which had perched itself on the tip of the cliff.

The eagle seemed to consider him for a moment before spreading its way to taking off. It rose higher and higher into the air before making a sharp turn and gliding away from the group of people. It did continue to glide for a while, enjoying the warmth of the early morning sunlight before banking slightly, its eyes roamed the ground far below searching for something… anything. But for now, it spotted nothing. Levelling its wings once more the eagle continued to glide, only flapping its wings occasionally to keep its speed. All the time its eyes gazed at the ground far below. The eagle seemed to glide for quite a while longer before it suddenly dived, speeding towards the ground. As the ground grew closer it extended its talons ready to grab what it had seen. But the eagle suddenly let out a loud screech and wildly began beating its wings, retreating up into the air as what it had thought was food emerging from a crack in the cliff turned out to be a human.

Fresh air hit him like a brick wall. The bright light and breeze overwhelmed him and he doubled over as every nerve was set ablaze once more. Yugi closed his eyes, the light was too much after so much darkness, it made his head pound painfully. After a few moments he opened them again and dragged himself free of the cliff, coming to rest against a nearby boulder. Leaning his back against it, he rested his broken arm on his chest and closed his eyes once again. He done it, he got out of there. How in the world he'd managed it he wasn't sure but he'd done it. His breathing was short and painful, he could still feel blood oozing from wounds that he still did not know the extent of. But at least they were out of there. A noise in front of him caused him to open his eyes. Looking back at the crack he saw someone lying on the sand, half in the tunnel half out. Atem was lying on his back, eyes closed and breathing deeply. With his head and chest free of the tunnel he'd obviously decided that that was close enough for the moment. Yugi gazed at him, taking in his friend's injuries for the first time. One side of Atem's face was covered in thick, dark red blood some of which was still fresh. Deep grazes oozed blood on his arms and Yugi could just see dark, angry bruises littering them as well. One of Atem's hands was gripping his hip, as if trying to ease the pain there. Yugi knew they'd be more injuries that he couldn't see, but he could only hope they weren't serious. Closing his eyes once more against the pain, he shifted slightly trying to find any sort of position that would be comfortable. The voice in his head was saying that the likelihood of him finding any sort of comfortable position at present was slim. Opening his eyes again his head immediately made it's displeasure known but he ignored it as much as he could. His eyes caught a glimpse of his forearm, the alarming bump to his arm confirmed his suspicion that is arm was indeed broken. He could see deep cuts and grazes as well along with some rather angry bruises. He didn't need to look at the other arm to guess it would be in a similar state.

A pained breath escaped him as he turned his gaze to the former Pharoah. Atem was still lying in the mouth of the tunnel, his eyes still closed. He was lying quite still, but Yugi could just see the movement of his chest with each breath.

"Atem?" Yugi called, his voice was stronger then before but still weak, "Are you awake?"

Atem's eyes opened as he answered.

"Unfortunately."

"Are you alright?"

"I'm as alright as you are."

Yugi nodded, not at all surprised by the answer. Their injuries may differ but the level of pain they were experiencing matched.

"At least we're out of there." Yugi sighed, "But what do we do now?"

Atem made no response for a moment, but he did move. Yugi watched as the former Pharaoh pushed himself up angling himself so he could rest his weight on one side of his body. There was a pause as Atem battled the pain he was undoubtedly feeling before he continued his efforts. Using the side of the tunnel entrance for support Atem, somehow, managed to manoeuvre himself into a sitting position, his back resting against the stone tunnel. Yugi noted though that the former Pharaoh would not or could not move one of his legs and once settled upright the hand returned to his hip. At the moment it wasn't necessary to be able to read the former Pharaoh to know he was in a lot of pain, his face told it all too well despite his best efforts to conceal it.

"W-we should try and find the river." Atem said, his voice failing to conceal his pain.

Yugi frowned slightly, "Should we not try and find help? I mean you look as bad as I feel so I'm not sure how much we can do on our own."

The former Pharaoh gazed off into the desert, "If we want to survive we need to get to the river, then at least we can stay alive until either we find help or help finds us."

His gaze moved to Yugi, who saw the seriousness in his expression.

"We're going to survive Atem." He replied, slowly, "We're both going to get out of this."

Atem broke his eye contact, "I hope so."

Yugi gazed at him for a moment before looking around, he could see nothing but sand for miles. He couldn't help but wonder how they would even find the river, everything looked the same.

"How are we even going to find it?"

"Follow the birds," Atem pointed a bloodied hand to the skies, "They will be searching for the river as well so should lead us there."

Yugi looked up as well, spotting a couple birds as they flew high above their heads. Turning back to the once King he didn't miss the pained expression that crossed his face as Atem shifted his position. He watched him for a while, watching how he still would not move one of his legs. This presented a new problem, it was looking likely that Atem wouldn't be able to walk so it would make getting there difficult but not impossible. Sitting forwards Yugi took a breath and placed a hand to his head as it pounded, he could feel blood still clinging to the side of his face but he ignored it. Pushing himself to his feet, he moved somewhat stiffly over to the former Pharaoh keeping his broken arm close. He was somewhat surprised he'd managed to get to his feet, and how despite how much his head was pounding he was able to keep his balance. Reaching Atem's side he looked down at him, the former Pharaoh held his gaze.

"Come on then," Yugi said, "Let's get going."

"Yugi you can't –"

"Atem don't tell me I should go and leave you here, we both know that's not going to happen."

The former Pharaoh sighed, resigning himself despite the thoughts making his way through his mind. Moving to the former Pharaoh's side Yugi pulled an arm around his shoulder, bringing Atem to his feet. Yugi could feel his body tense as he tried to combat pain, but stubbornly he made no sound. He waited giving Atem a moment before they set off.

Their progress was slow. Even with Yugi's help the once King couldn't put weight on his leg or at least he tried not too. He could still feel how tense Atem was, but still he made no noise to indicate his pain. His own body was screaming at him as well. His broken arm was still held tightly against his chest, the other holding tightly to his friend. His breaths were painful and he knew that some of his wounds were still bleeding but he ignored it, he had to. This was the only way that would allow them to maybe find help. With any luck they'd find their friends who, Yugi were sure, must be looking for them. But the former Pharaoh was right, they had to find the river, at least then they'd have some access to water which in the desert heat they both desperately needed. As they moved Yugi glanced up at the sky every so often, trying to spot any signs that they were heading in the right direction. It was difficult to know as the only bird he spotted was an eagle soaring almost mockingly high above them. Around them was nothing but sand, which seemed to stretch for miles. It was almost like they were getting nowhere fast. The more their journey continued the more both of their battered and broken bodies screamed at them, this was clearly a bad thing for them to be doing but what other choice did they have. Biting his lip, Yugi gripped his friend's arm tighter and continued moving, keeping his gaze on the horizon. He told himself not to look around for any sign of how far they walked, just keep moving ahead. However, it was inevitable that eventually he'd need to stop. His body had just been through so much trauma that adrenaline alone wouldn't be enough. His legs were beginning to wobble, they were unable to cope with the weight of both of them for much longer. Atem hadn't said anything nor would he admit it but he was struggling, Yugi could feel just how tense he was and almost shaking from the effort to keep moving. Tearing his eyes away from the horizon he spotted a group of large rocks not too far away from them. Guiding the once King over to them Yugi waited until Atem had a firm grip on one before sinking to the ground in the shade of another, breathing hard and closing his eyes.

They didn't speak for a while, both of them trying to take the time they needed to recover as much as they could. Yugi wasn't sure how long had past when he opened his eyes again but he did take a brief look at their surroundings. He could barely see the cliff face which must mean that they had indeed come a long way. Turning to look at the former Pharaoh he found him on the ground, leaning against the rock. His bloodied and bruised face was pale, he looked as exhausted as Yugi felt. He watched as Atem suddenly coughed and blood escaped his lips. Atem, who'd caught the blood in his hand, seemed to consider it for a moment before meeting Yugi's gaze.

"I'm alright Yugi." He said, reading Yugi's mind.

"No, you're not and nor am I." Yugi replied, "How did this happen?"

Atem closed his eyes, "The prophecy."

"But what does it mean and why now? After everything we've been through why would this happen now?"

The sharpness to Yugi's voice took the former Pharoah by surprise, opening his eyes he took in Yugi's bloodied face. He could see the look in his eyes, the desperation to understand what had just happened and why. He tried to assume a reassuring look but given his current condition he wasn't convinced that he pulled it off.

"I'll figure it out Yugi. But no matter what it means I will make sure you're safe."

"And yourself." Yugi pressed, "If that was really a prophecy then it said two eagles. Whatever its meaning it meant the both of us and we're both going to make it out of this."

Atem made no response, his thoughts travelling back to what the prophecy had said. It seemed to him that he and Yugi had drawn different conclusions from it. He hadn't really thought about the prophecy as a whole, it wasn't exactly as though he'd had the time to, but part of it he had. But whatever it really meant he would ensure Yugi made it back safely. The prophecy could mess with him but after everything Yugi had done for him he would not allow it to effect him. A horrible wave of excruciating pain hit him. It radiated from his leg traveling up his hip which was already giving out its own wave of pain. Breaking off his eye contact with Yugi he looked away at the desert, biting the inside of his lip rather hard as he tried to gain control over what he was experiencing. The walk had definitely done him no favours. He was almost certain he'd broken his leg in the fall, but he suspected as well he'd done the very same to his hip which was causing him a lot of problems. Whatever he tried he couldn't find a position which caused him the least amount of discomfort. He probably shouldn't have attempted to move given his suspected injuries but what choice did he have? No matter his pain he would ensure Yugi was safe. His thoughts were interrupted when Yugi spoke.

"Someone's coming."

Turning, Atem saw Yugi pointing at something in the distance. Following where he pointed he saw a figure on horseback in the distance heading in their direction. Yugi pushed himself up, waving in the direction of the figure. He couldn't be sure who exactly was making their way towards him but all he knew was that they needed help, desperately.

"Yugi? I'm not sure –"

"It's ok, Atem." Yugi cut him off, "We need help and you never know this might be someone we know."

Their eyes met, Yugi could see the uncertainty in the former Pharaoh's eyes. He'd always been wary about trusting strangers. He smiled reassuringly, or as reassuringly as he could manage, at him before turning to look back at the figure. The figure was getting closer, still perched upon his horse. Yugi moved towards him, waving once again.

"Please!" He called, "Can you help us?"

The man made no response, or indication that he'd heard him yet he continued to move towards them. The man was fairly close to them now but he still did not speak. Yugi took another step forwards but then something inside him faltered. He viewed the man with a different perspective, suddenly not certain whether they should ask him for help. Something just appeared off with this man, but Yugi couldn't tell what. He opened his mouth to speak when he heard a clunking sound followed by a noise which was somewhere between shock and pain. Turning he saw Atem lying motionless on the ground, fresh red blood pouring from the existing wound to his head staining the sand beneath him. Standing beside him was another man holding a blunt wooden object, the wood sickly held onto some of Atem's blood. The man leered at Yugi, who took a couple of steps towards his fallen friend. Yugi looked at the man before turning to the other man, who was still atop his horse.

"Please," He begged, "We don't mean any harm, we were in a cave-in and we're just trying to find our friends."

But once again his words fell on deaf ears. The man on the horse held up his hand and motioned at someone. Yugi turned back to the other man, but he hadn't moved. Before he could turn back to the man he felt something hard hit him on the side of his head. Pain exploded from the wound already inflicted there. He fell to the ground. His vision began to blur. The last thing he saw before the darkness took him was Atem unconscious across from him and various pairs of boots as the men approached them.