Vanishipping Fanfic: Duat Chapter 1
Hi. It's wonderful to be able to take the time to post on Tmblr!
Life keeps moving forward and, honestly, it's been dragging me down like an old rag; because of that I've decided that, for the sake of my mood, I must force myself to fight my writer's block. I was happy to receive feedback on the ‘prologue’ of this fanfiction, although slow it is one of the stories I am most excited to continue writing and for that I thank you deeply.
Before continuing with the first chapter, I would like to point out that this story is set after the end of the series; it even takes place AFTER the events of the movie: ‘Yu-Gi-Oh: The Dark Side of Dimensions’.
Atem is NOT in the past, nor has Anzu travelled back in time; Atem is in what, for the Egyptians, exists at the end of life. I understand it can be a bit confusing but, as the story progresses, it gets better explained; don't forget to check the notes at the end of each chapter!
IMPORTANT: Tomorrow, I will upload the English version of this chapter; likewise, I plan to upload later this week chapter 3 of my other REVO fanfic: ‘Part Time Job.’
Enjoy!
(...)
Chapter 1
Dawn surprises Atem outside the room where the hekas and nuns are checkup to Anzu. Between giving instructions to the guards and being interrogated by isolated members of his council of priests, the young pharaoh has refused to leave.
Hours before and after discovering the identity of the young woman, the pharaoh left the temple struggling with hysteria. After summoning his horse with a whistle and covering the girl's nakedness with the riding sheet, he had hurried back to the palace for help.
`As soon as I entered the palace´ he thinks, watching from his position the movement of the servants going in and out of the room. `Siamun and Isis brought her into this room. ´
They had taken her from his arms, and the thought of getting away from her had hurt so much that Mana had to restrain him from slamming the door in anguish. Suddenly exhausted, Atem sits on the floor with his back against the wall, hiding his face behind clenched fists.
“I've been waiting all night and I don't know…” He whispers, staring at the door as if he can tell what's going on inside. “I don't know if she's all right.”
The sound of footsteps brings the young man out of his thoughts, standing up he watches several people leave the room, one after the other. In their arms they carry vases, bottles, linen bandages and sheets; his anxious heart leaps as he notices that a few are stained with something than looks like blood.
He takes two hurried steps towards the door as Isis and Siamun are in sight. Atem stands firm on his feet, staring at them with a thousand questions in his crimson eyes; the old man takes his forearms in a fatherly gesture.
“She is fine, my pharaoh,” he says, trying to calm the young man's anxiety, the old man's words lifting an invisible weight from his shoulders. “She doesn't seem seriously injured, she's been checked and is asleep.”
“Thank you," he whispers.
Siamun smiles at his gesture, affectionately stroking the boy's cheek with the palm of his hand. After a few seconds the pharaoh's eyes shine with determination, he straightens up and takes two steps into the room; no one notices the smile on Isis' face who, stepping sideways, steps between the door and the boy.
“You can't come in, Pharaoh,” says the brunette, her face serious, her gaze piercing him. Atem looks at her in surprise.
“Why?” asks the young man, his eyes darting from the priestess to Siamun in confusion. The old man slowly shakes his head in a resigned gesture, sensing a growing irritation in the ruler.
“The lady needs rest,” the priestess replies with a sympathetic smile on her face. Atem opens his mouth to complain, but the old man again taps his shoulder paternally.
“It has been a long and intense night for all of us, my pharaoh," he says once Atem looks at him. “It would be best for you and your friend to regain your strength. Besides, I think you need to go to the throne room and clarify the situation with the members of the royal council; especially if your plans involve the girl staying as a guest inside the palace.”
Atem frowns as he analyses the old man's words, after a few seconds he lowers his face in resignation, knowing that even his concern is overridden by his duty as the Pharaoh of Kemet.
`We still do not know what really happened in the temple of Osiris. And Anzu, who is the only one who possibly knows, needs to rest´ Atem reflects, knowing that he cannot afford to risk Anzu's recovery by showing the council a poor choice of priorities.
Isis and Siamun stare at him as he thinks, can't help but feel a pang of pride as they see him stand tall and strong like the ruler he is; Atem looks back at them, his scarlet eyes full of confidence.
“Siamun: Meet with Seto, see that the saru are complete in the throne room, including my father. I need his presence during the meeting.” The old man smiles and bows before leaving to carry out the order. “Isis,” continues the boy with a more serious expression. “Considering the nature of the situation, we must be discreet: I need you to wear the millennium necklace, because you and Mahado to double security inside and outside the palace until we can figure out what happened tonight. After that, sends someone for Mana: I need her to look after my guest for the duration of the meeting.”
They stare at each other for a few seconds, a slight smile creeps across the woman's face, Atem returns the gesture with confidence. With a nod, the priestess bows and walks down the hall.
“I'll see you in the throne room," Atem whispers, watching her walk away, unable to take in the woman's mischievous look and the sudden gleam of the millennium necklace.
A few seconds pass before Atem notices that he's alone in the place; he resolutely starts walking towards the throne room, but an anxious feeling fills his stomach. He looks over his shoulder at the entrance to the room where Anzu is.
`It's not an illusion´ he thinks firmly, trying to convince himself. “It's not a dream.”
The desire to see her becomes unbearable, closing his eyes he remembers the warmth of her skin, the feel of her silky hair, her smell. Anzu is in there, a few steps away, and for a few seconds, the young ruler considers the possibility of entering the room. The memory of Bakura's manic smile flashes through his mind.
"She is safe," he shakes his head, trusting the words of Siamun and Isis. Bakura is gone and the appearance of her friend from the future must have a logical explanation; it's something they need to find out, but to do so he must be able to keep the girl safe in the palace. Anzu needs to rest, regain strength and he must prepare to lead the meeting with the council.
Atem looks one last time at the door of the room over his shoulder, taking a deep breath he begins to walk down the hallway.
"Wait a little longer, Anzu," he thinks, clasping the chain hanging from the millennium puzzle around his neck in his right hand. “I'll keep you safe.
(...)
“...Witnesses mention that the light fell directly on the Temple of Osiris; however, we have found no damage to the building, and no injured people among the civilians. Neither Hem netcher, nor the Sem noticed anything strange before it happened and only understood than something was happening when they saw Pharaoh Atem arrive at the sanctuary.”
Glances and whispers are exchanged among the council members. Atem, seated on his throne, listens intently with a serious expression.
“This is strange” he thinks, watching the council members exchange questions and gestures. “Shada mentioned that the speakers were inside the temple, but I didn't see anyone on the premises.”
“Was there any damage, unrelated to the event in the city?” asked his father in an attempt to lessen the restlessness in the room. “Any sieges, injuries?”
“There were none, Your Majesty,” replies the man in charge of notifying the measures taken during the early hours of the morning. “Regardless of the confusion, we can be sure that the people of Kemet are safe.”
There are whispers again among the people present. Mahado glances slyly at Atem, who nods in return.
“You are discharged” the priest says with a wave of his hand; the military captain nods and, taking three steps back, heads for the exit.
"Despite its intensity, the glow was harmless.” Immersed in his thoughts, Atem ignores the gazes on him. What was its function? Where did it come from?
The doors close, snapping Atem out of his thoughts. The council watches him intently, and he can feel the tension in his father's body; he can be sure that most of the people in the throne room are as confused as he is.
“Priestess Isis,” Atem calls after a few seconds, startling those present. She takes a step forward, kneeling in front of the throne, "Did your millennium item alert you in advance to the situation we found ourselves in?”
“No, my pharaoh," the young woman replies, her eyes fixed on the ground. Surprised murmurs rise in the room.
“Priest Seto," he continues, watching his cousin mimic the brunette's position “Same question.”
“No, my pharaoh," the brown-haired man replies, taping the golden sceptre to his chest. This seems to surprise the members of the council even more. The question is also put to Karim and Siamun, the refusal is absolute; new whispers fill the room.
Atem stares at them in silence and exchanges a glance with his father, who nods his head in a gesture of confidence. The young ruler takes a breath before standing up to speak.
“It is obvious that we do not have all the information we need about what happened last tonight," he says confidently, the council members watching him carefully. “However, that the millennium items showed no alteration from what happened is a clear proof that the kingdom is not in danger. Still, we must continue to look for evidence, in case another unexpected event should occur.” His deep, rich voice echoes in the silence with authority. “Shada!”
“¿Yes, my pharaoh?” replies the priest, kneeling in front of him.
“Mobilise more soldiers to increase security inside the city; please be discreet, we don't want to create panic among the people.”
“Yes, my pharaoh," exclaims Shada before quickly leaving the room followed by the senior military leaders.
"That will keep the civilians safe, but it doesn't rule out some internal danger," Atem thinks sternly. Lifting his gaze, he meets the piercing scrutiny of the wielder of the millennium eye. “Ankhnadin!” Atem continues, confident that his uncle knows his concerns.
“¿Yes, my pharaoh?” The old man takes several steps forward without kneeling. The boy does not take his gesture into account, the betrayal by the older man is in the past.
“I need to you, Karim and Mahado to check the other temples near the area where the light fell. We must rule out any other occurrences during the night.”
Several voices whisper in the room, Atem can sense their hesitation with a decision that seems unnecessary. The three priests begin to stir as an idea occurs to the pharaoh.
“One more thing!” he exclaims, the priests pause to listen to the rest of the order. A dark, authoritative smile creeps across Atem's mouth, startling some of those present. “Questions the speakers of Osiris again.” A few surprised gasps are Heard “I leave it in your hands Ankhnadin.”
A terrifying tension fills the throne room, filling the council members with chills; Atem sees, out of the corner of his eye, his father's approving smile. The message has been sent and it is clear: Interrogate them, see into their minds and verify that they are not lying. If they lie, they must be punished.
“Yes, my pharaoh," replies the bearer of the golden eye with understanding and a satisfied smile. The three priests return and head for the exit.
Mahado watches the young pharaoh out of the corner of his eye as he walks away, Atem's cold expression turns to a pleading look; the wizard nods. So many years of friendship have given Mahado the tools to know his concerns perfectly.
He leaves knowing that his childhood friend and ruler will confidently wait for the priests to return with the answers they need.
As the door closes, not a single person dares to speak. Ignorant of the young pharaoh's doubts and worries, those present wonder whether the changes that night signal a shift in the balance of the Maat, and how the orders taken by the ruler might affect them.
“The rest of us..." Atem continues after a few seconds, "will wait.”
Expressions of surprise flood the room, Atem squares his shoulders and surveys those present in a gesture that leaves no room for doubt.
“I refuse to take action without some clue as to what is happening. I will not put my kingdom at risk until I see the entire game board!” There are whispers in the room. Mostly from the weaker parts of the council: nobles, scribes, priests and sons of military men who, even in the afterlife, do not cease to question his authority.
“Pharaoh," one dares to speak, Atem observes him, having a bad feeling about his conciliatory voice. “Maybe if we force her to speak, the woman from the temple...”
Atem interrupts him by standing up and slamming his fist hard against the throne, the metallic clang of his rings on impact forcing those present into silence. The nobleman cringes under the young ruler's furious gaze.
“KEMMET'S SAFETY IS OUR PRIORITY!” he exclaims in a voice so full of anger that its sound reverberates off the walls. “I will take no further action until the city and the people are safe. THAT IS MY ORDER!”
Feeling the oppressive tension in the room, Atem sits back down with both arms firmly at his sides and one leg crossed over the other; a distinctive gesture that makes him exude authority, elegance and confidence, yet his angry face makes several present feel the need to run away.
“Yes, Your Highness," the nobleman whispers, ducking his head. After a few seconds, Atem glances sideways at Siamun, nodding his head. The vizier nods slightly.
“all of you are discharged" the old man orders as usual. Silently the people begin to leave, some whispering among themselves and watching with interest the distant, shadowed gaze of the young ruler.
Soon the throne room is empty. Atem drops his head, wearily massaging the bridge of his nose.
“Well done, my son," Aknamkanon whispers, approaching the young ruler, Atem lifts his head back with his face unhinged in concern.
“Thank you father," he whispers with a frown. “But we haven´t another choice right now.”
Only the two rulers, the priest Siamun and Seto, remain in the room. Atem closes his eyes, dizzy, breathing irregularly.
“Pharaoh, are you all right?” asks Siamun in a low voice, looking at him with paternal concern.
“Hai, Daijoubu Oji chan," he whispers in a trembling voice without looking at the old man; realising his mistake, Atem feels his chest tighten with an emotion that makes him want to hide his face. “I'M FINE!” he corrects embarrassed. “Really, SIAMUN, there's nothing wrong.”
The old man looks at him with a confused look on his face at his strange words. Atem looks away from the others, biting his lip in a clear sign of stress; a voice in the back of his head reminds him that Anzu is a few rooms away and that he should go to her before the girl wakes up, alone and confused in that unknown place.
“Pharaoh Atem," a curt voice calls out to him. Atem comes out of his thoughts with a start, turns his face and looks at his cousin who glares at him with his cold blue irises.
“What's wrong, Seto?” he replies, watching the chestnut with a raised eyebrow, aware of the unspoken meaning of his penetrating gaze: Seto wants answers and immediately.
The priest hisses in annoyance with a tense jaw.
“ I think it's time you told us about your host and her relationship to what's happening" he exclaims coldly, taking two menacing steps towards the tricolour.
“SETO!” cries Siamun, scandalised by the priest's tactlessness towards his king; however, both young men ignore him and observe each other in a long and silent discussion.
It is no secret that the council finds interesting the mania of both boys to challenge each other in duels of will; always ready to push the other to the limits of his reasoning.
Being both young and talented they seem to positively strengthen each other using their born rivalry. However, there are rare occasions where there is real annoyance during these interactions and Seto's sudden aggressiveness seems to show that he does not completely agree with the decisions made by the young pharaoh.
“This is the second time I've seen that expression on his face," thinks Atem. “The first time was shortly before I sealed my soul inside the millennium puzzle."
Atem sighs, looking away resignedly and losing his battle with the brown man.
“You're right, Seto. I will tell you everything, however, there is one person I need to visit first” The young pharaoh looks up to meet the serious face of his father, who looks at him, aware that his son needs to speak to him alone.
“Siamun," says Aknamkanon, keeping his eyes on his son. “Inform us when the priests return from their missions, and we will meet you in the strategy room when that happens.”
“Yes, Your Majesty," the old man rasps, bowing and hurrying out of the room. He can't help but glance over his shoulder at the three men remaining in the room.
“Seto," Atem calls, rising from his throne. The chestnut, still wearing an annoyed expression, takes a step in his direction. “Send one of your servants for Mana and Mut-nisut Nubet, i need them to be present in the strategy room when everyone returns.”
After a few seconds of surprised silence, the chestnut nods at the young ruler's command; with a resigned smile, Atem places a hand on the chestnut's shoulder.
“I trust you will find someone to keep her safe, on her way to the strategy room," the pharaoh whispers, watching him with a deep, gentle expression. Without looking away, Seto deciphers some of the emotions his cousin is trying to hide: confusion, anguish and fear.
“Yes, my pharaoh," he replies, returning his gaze confidently, his gesture seeming to reassure the tricolour; after bowing, the chestnut-haired man makes his way out of the room.
The rulers, father and son, watch him leave without exchanging words. Once alone, Atem can feel his father's curious glance upon him; for a moment he feels again like a small child who has been caught playing where he shouldn't be.
The sun has risen across the sky on a bright morning, the light inside the room reflecting off the walls and dazzling the boy's sleepy eyes. A young adult who refuses to look at his father.
“Your mother is not part of the council, to let her be part of a meeting in the strategy room is against tradition. You know that, my son," Aknamkanon reproaches calmly, watching his son's serious face finally return his gaze; the crimson eyes, so much like his wife's, seem to stare into the void with deep concern.
“I know," the boy whispers, clenching the millennium puzzle around his neck in his fist, "but I think that perhaps she and Mana are an important part of what is happening. Just like us.”
Aknamkanon's chest sinks with pessimism. Ah! Then his son is indeed hiding things and seems to be suspicious about the arrival of the girl from the temple. What can be going on inside the young pharaoh's head to have such concern in his eyes?
Aknamkanon has never seen such desolation on his son's face. Since his arrival in the fields of Ialu, Atem had enjoyed a time of peace and contentment; as if, after millennia of darkness and loneliness, he was trying to make up for lost time in the land of his birth.
The reunion between him and his mother had been so emotional that most of the inhabitants of the palace had been unable to hide their tears. Atem's arrival had made a great impression on everyone; the serious but kindly man who had entered at the end of his maaty had filled those who waited patiently for him with pride and admiration.
After the reconciliations the young man's character had come to the surface, and as time passed it had become recurrent to find him in the garden, dozing peacefully under the shade of the papyri, safe and sound, as if nothing else mattered in the world.
He rarely spoke of his experience in the world of the living, but when he did he was so nostalgic that, by night, they had grown accustomed to seeing him sitting by the river, speaking softly to the stars; whispering things to them that only he could remember.
Feeling a hint of sadness, Aknamkanon takes the boy by the shoulders with both hands, bending down to look directly into his face.
“My son, what are you thinking?” asks the older pharaoh with genuine interest. Under the weight of his hands his son feels small, yet when Atem lifts his face he has the cold, determined look of a ruler who has fought in war most of his life.
“A part of me suspects that the millennium items are related to what happened tonight,” he replies, staring at him. Aknamkanon's sudden surprise at his words quickly changes to analysis of the situation.
“And your guest?” He asks again patiently “Is his arrival also related to the millennium items?”
“I don't know yet, but I'm afraid it's related to the final duel” adds Atem, nodding at the curiosity and understanding on his father's face. The man notices his son's body trembling unconsciously, and with deep surprise Aknamkanon watches as the young man, sinking into his thoughts, seems to become a dark version of himself.
“I will not allow Anzu to be harmed” Atem whispers, his jaw clenched, staring at a distant point in the room with deep, spiteful eyes. “I will destroy anyone who tries to harm her”
Overwhelmed by his dark essence, Aknamkanon releases the boy's shoulders, forcing him out of his thoughts with a blink; Atem watches him in confusion for a few seconds, a shiver running through the older man as he realises that his son was unaware of his words.
“Why would anyone want to hurt her?” he asks, trying to understand his son's emotions. The boy's breath hitches and he silently averts his eyes, trying to find the best words to explain the situation.
Aknamkanon looks at him tensely, while Atem meditates; after a few seconds the young pharaoh lifts his illuminated face with a tiny crooked smile.
“Because I'm in love with her.” he confesses quietly.
NOTES ON THE CHAPTER
Kemmet: Egyptian name for the Pharaonic Egyptians.
Heka: Sorcerers.
Sunu: Physicians.
Saru: Local council of nobles
Hem netcher: Prophets.
Sem: Priests who acted in the ceremonies of resurrection rites.
Maaty: Term for the justified in the judgement of the Maat at death.
Fields of Ialu: Egyptian paradise.
Mut-nisut: Mother of the king.