Chapter 26

The canvas was flapping rather violently, the wind outside was so strong that it seemed at any moment the canvas would split and be blown away. Despite it still standing the tent was offering little protection from the sandstorm that blew around him. Sand was flying everywhere, causing Yugi to splutter and spit bits out of his mouth. He had no way of knowing what was happening outside, all he could hear was the wind. He pulled against his bindings, biting his lip against the intense pain his broken arm was giving him. He had to escape, he had to get Atem and get out of here. But the bindings were too strong, no matter what he tried he couldn't get the knots to loosen. He paused, coughing more sand out of his mouth. As he did a movement by the tent entrance caught his attention. But there was nothing there, apart from himself there was only numerous boxes in the tent. The boxes were wobbling dangerously but the wind had yet to take them. He pulled against the bindings until something caught his eye once again. Something was coming towards him. Yugi's eyes widened thinking of the numerous predators which roamed the desert. Perhaps it was using the cover of the storm to make its move. But what he saw instead made him cry out in shock. Dragging himself towards him was someone who looked an awful lot like Yugi.

"Atem!" Yugi yelled, trying to make himself heard over the noise of the storm.

He watched as Atem paused, coughing a mixture of blood and sand from his mouth before resuming his efforts. Atem looked an awful state. He was covered in blood, various deep cuts had been made to his arms, joining those inflicted by the fall, but all of which were bleeding. One of his arms held a rather deep, painful looking burn which was covered by grains of sand. Yugi called out to the former Pharaoh, but he made no response. All his efforts were going into getting himself to Yugi's side. How he managed it Yugi did not know but upon reaching his side the once King collapsed next to him, lying face down. There was a long, drawn out pause as Yugi stared at the once King wishing he could move to help him but was unable to. The wind continued to blow around them, Yugi was beginning to hear ripping sounds as the canvas reached its breaking point. But still the Pharaoh did not move. It was only when Yugi began calling his name that he moved. His arms trembled but Atem, somehow, managed to push himself onto his side. One of his hands moving to a spot on his abdomen. Yugi could see blood pouring through his fingers. Their eyes met. Atem's face was deathly pale, his eyes showing just how much of his strength he was using. Yugi, at that moment, did not know what to say. But he did not need to, Atem broke the eye contact and reached out to untie the ropes binding Yugi to the post. Yugi gritted his teeth against the pain but he slowly felt the ropes loosening. When they were loose enough he pulled his good arm free and used it to release the other. Atem, having ceased his efforts, sunk back to the ground. A hand had moved back to his abdomen, his eyes closed.

Yugi, coming to rest on his knees, cradled his broken arm close to his chest as a sickening pain engulfed him. Gritting his teeth against the pain he looked over at Atem, but he had not moved. Around them the canvas continued ripping, it wasn't going to protect them much longer. When it broke who knew what would happen but they couldn't afford to wait and find out. Yugi stood, his knees shaking but they did not falter. After so many days stuck in the same position his legs felt like lead, but his own adrenaline was pumping allowing him to ignore it. Moving to Atem's side he crouched in front of him. Reaching out Yugi gently shook the once King with his good arm.

"Atem?" He called.

But the Pharaoh did not respond, nor did he move. Cold dread washed over him as he shook the once King again shouting his name. But still the Pharaoh made no movement. Tears flowed from Yugi's eyes, had Atem used up the rest of his strength to rescue him. He gritted his teeth, shaking his head. No Atem was alive, and he would get them both to safety. He shook the former Pharoah once more before crying out in relief as he saw his eyes open.

"Come on Atem, we've got to get out of here." Yugi shouted, trying to make himself heard over the sounds of the ripping canvas and wind.

Keeping his broken arm close to his chest Yugi used the other to pull one of Atem's arms around his shoulders. He stood, pulling his friend up with him. Yugi was unable to stop the cry of pain from escaping his lips as he tried to find his balance, but he found it. Atem was just holding onto consciousness, but he was unable to hold his own weight. Had Yugi not been holding him up he would have fallen. He was vaguely aware of Yugi securing his hold on him before he spoke.

"Hold on Atem, just hold on for a bit longer. I'll get us out of here."

Atem didn't have the strength at that moment to answer him.

Yugi, securing his grip on his friend, began to move towards the tent entrance with a grim look of determination on his face. As they moved out of the tent the true intensity of the storm hit them, nearly blowing Yugi over but he somehow held his footing. The camp was destroyed, it appeared his tent had been the last one standing. The others which hadn't been dismantled by Het's men had been ripped to shreds by the storm. Wooden boxes were being lifted into the air and carried off in various directions by the storm. They had to move before they were hit by something. But he had no idea which direction they should go in. Having little choice Yugi turned west and, tightening his grip to the Pharoah, began moving away from the camp. The wind continued to blow around them, sand seeping into their open wounds and cut them as it blew past but that did not stop Yugi. He would get them away from here. He knew that Atem was still conscious, he could feel him trying to hold his own weight but also feel how his body shook from the sheer amount of adrenaline that was undoubtedly pumping around his system. Squeezing his wrist as a form of encouragement Yugi led them ever further through the storm in the direction of, hopefully, safety. As they moved Yugi heard a sound from above them. Glancing up he saw two eagles struggling to fight through the storm, their wings beating hard against the wind. Taking a breath, he secured his grip on the once King again and continued their journey. As they continued, he began to hear Atem's soft groans of pain. Yugi hadn't heard Atem make a sound the entire time, he couldn't help but hope this might be a good sign. If Atem became more aware of their surroundings it would make things easier for both of them. But Yugi was wrong.

"Yugi, put me down." Atem's voice was little more than a whisper, but he heard it all too clearly.

"I can't Atem, we have to keep going."

He felt Atem move, trying to release himself from Yugi's hold but Yugi refused to let him.

"Yugi…" Atem called, "Please."

His eyes widened on hearing the weak plea. But once again he refused to allow Atem to release himself from his grip.

"I promised you that we'd both get out of this." Yugi replied, "And I am going to keep that promise."

He felt Atem move once again, but this time his movement caused Yugi to lose his balance and fall. He felt his arm scrape across something sharp before he found himself lying on the sand. Pushing himself on his knees, Yugi glanced at the graze on his arm before his eyes saw the rock that he'd fallen against. Steeling himself against the pain he stared around, looking for the once King. Atem was lying on his side, his eyes open but only slightly. Crawling over to him, Yugi grabbed his arm again preparing to lift him back up, but the former Pharaoh withdrew his arm.

"Atem we have to keep pushing." Yugi urged, tears welling in his eyes, "Once we're somewhere safe we can rest."

Atem weakly shook his head, "I-I think I've pushed as much as I c-can."

Yugi's eyes widened, the tears breaking free. He stared at the former Pharaoh, who was still conscious, but his blinks were slow. Unnaturally slow. He couldn't give up, Atem never gave up so why did it appear he was now. He took in the former Pharaoh's appearance, looking at every visible injury. His eyes fell on the wound to his abdomen which was still bleeding. Had Atem reached his limit? After all his injuries were serious and with the amount of blood he'd lost since this whole situation began perhaps it was not surprising that eventually he'd reach his limit. Tears still falling Yugi looked back at Atem's face. His eyes were still open, he was looking at Yugi.

"You h-have to g-go." Atem said, his voice rasping.

Yugi shook his head, "No. Not without you. We both have to make it."

Atem weakly shook his head, "The p-prophecy said only one of us would s-survive. You have to be that o-one."

Anger consumed him, "I don't care about the prophecy Atem. You don't give up ever. So why are you now?"

Coughs racked Atem's body, blood escaped his lips once again.

"G-get yourself o-out here. I w-will only slow you down."

Yugi shook his head, "Atem –"

"Y-Yugi please."

Their gazes met. Around them the sandstorm continued to blow strong, sand flew everywhere. Above them Yugi heard a squawk, followed by a thumping sound nearby. Breaking his gaze with the former Pharaoh he turned to see the body of an eagle lying nearby. Up in the skies the other, still very much alive, let out a squawk of its own and continued its fight against the wind. A coldness filled him as he turned to look back at his closest friend, who'd closed his eyes. Only the slight movement of his chest indicated that he was still alive. A horrible sense of understanding flowed through him. But despite his understanding he was still going to fight. Grabbing Atem he pulled him, rather ungracefully over to the rocks allowing the rocks to give him some sort of protection against the sand. Atem's features twisted in agony which Yugi had never seen on Atem's face before. He hated that he'd hurt him, but it was his best chance.

With Atem safely, or as safely as he could be, behind the rocks Yugi crouched in front of him. Atem's eyes were once again closed but for the moment he was still breathing.

"I'm going to get help." Yugi said.

Atem's eyes opened a fraction and he made to speak but Yugi cut him off.

"I don't care about this prophecy or what it means. I'm going to find help and I'm coming back for you."

Atem said nothing, but he held Yugi's gaze. Yugi tried to smile reassuringly at him.

"Don't let this beat you, Atem." Yugi said, "You've never given up so don't start now. Fight. While you do, I will get help. Ok? I'm coming back for you. I am coming back for you."

The two look-a-likes stared at each other. Both considering the other, as they did each experienced memories of the past. Of the times they had spent together. Yugi gripped the former Pharaoh's arm tightly for a moment before standing. He gave Atem one last look before turning and breaking into a run, or as much of a run as he could in his current state.

The former Pharaoh, watched through his half-closed eyes as Yugi was swallowed by the sand, disappearing from sight. He let out a groan of pain and more blood escaped his mouth. Every inch of him hurt, he felt heavy and despite Yugi's attempt to protect him the storm still assaulted him. Closing his eyes he waited, waited for the inevitable. He wasn't completely sure this was the way he wanted to go, if he had the choice then he would have wanted to ensure Yugi was safe first. But the prophecy dictated that Yugi would survive the storm and he would not. He would just have to be ok with that. The storm continued around him, but it mattered not, in some ways this was better. His death would not be witnessed. But as he lay there Yugi's last words came to mind.

You've never given up so don't start now.

His eyes opened by just a fraction. Yugi was right, he'd never given up, but he knew deep down that this was it. He was to die here, the prophecy demanded it. He closed his eyes as a particularly nasty gust of wind blew. When he opened them again something stirred within him. Why should he kneel before this prophecy? After everything that had happened to him throughout his whole life, this was meant to be the time where he was in control of his life for once. If he was truly in control, then he would decide how and when it ended. He would not be controlled by anyone other than himself, not anymore. With strength he did not know he still had he rolled onto his side and, grabbing the nearby rocks pushed himself upright but he almost immediately collapsed against them as his broken side screamed its displeasure. Breathing deeply, he stared around. He could see nothing but sand around him, there was no sign of Yugi. Using the rocks as support he moved, searching for any sign of where Yugi might have gone. Something did catch his eye, but it was not who he wanted to see. A dark figure was standing a short distance away, staring at him. The sightless figure seemed to consider him, almost as though it was questioning just what he was doing. Atem stared at it, shaking his head.

"No." He weakly called, "You do not c-control me. I decide what h-happens to me, not you or a-anyone else."

The sightless figure made no response but something about it changed. The darkness around it lifted, its eyes changed from sightless to grey. Hair appeared on its head, ashen hair. A scar appeared over its right eye. Bakura stared at him, his eyes boring into his. The former Pharaoh let out a noise which was somewhere between a sound of frustration and pain. Of course, the sightless figure was Bakura. Who else would lead him to certain death? Who else in this world wanted him dead more then anything? Of course, Bakura himself was long gone but his memory had been kept alive through Haji and Het. Bakura was the driving force of the prophecy.

"Enough B-Bakura." Atem said, his voice growing weaker, "You d-dedicated your entire e-existence to f-fighting me, e-enough now. Your prophecy means n-nothing, I w-will be t-the one to c-choose, not you."

Bakura seemed to consider him for a moment before a smirk appeared on his face and he vanished, seemingly being swept away with the sand. Gripping the rock beside him more tightly he closed his eyes, trying to control what he was feeling. His whole body trembled with the shear effort of keeping him alive. He let out a slight cry of pain as his grip on the rock faltered for a second and he slipped. Opening his eyes again Atem looked around for a moment, as he did he felt a wetness on his face. Twin tears eased themselves from his eyes, rolling in perfect synchronisation down his face. Not having the will to wipe them away he pushed away from the rock, determined to try and catch up with Yugi. Whatever happened now, it would be on his terms. Whether he survived or not he wasn't sure he cared. All he cared about was it was his choice to try, his choice no one else's. The problem was he couldn't walk, his broken leg wouldn't allow it. He was sent back down into the sand, pain lacing his body. But despite how sick it made him feel he tried to push on. He dragged himself forwards, but as he did he felt the ground beneath him fall away and he was tumbling down. He wasn't sure just how far he rolled down but when he finally came to a halt he made no attempt to move. He'd used up the last of his strength, there was nothing left. A final set of tears escaped his eyes before they eyes closed for the final time.