My Biggest Fear
In, and then out.
Off, and then on.
Closed... before wide open.
Atem had been drifting in and out of sleep, the night before was not a pleasant one. The worry, the doubt, all that crying, the yelling right back at him... all because of a simple threat. A small little truth slipping out that once again... a loved one of his was within reach.
Only this time... he was powerless to stop it.
He feigned sleep just so that his Colonel could rest, keeping his own voice quiet so as not to disturb him, but he couldn't allow himself to rest. Instead he'd fall asleep, open his eyes, try to fall asleep again, and then fail. It lasted the whole night, even as his Colonel himself woke for the day to do... whatever he did. Earlier it sounded like he was in a meeting or something so... there was that. Eventually his body would lose the day long battle and sleep would finally, finally take him, holding his pillow in place of the warmth of a partner.
---
He's been here before. Dreams, nightmares, reality, doesn't matter. He's been here. Recognizes the temple like the back of his hand. The countless visages on familiar walls, the small torches lining the temple, the monster himself looking back at him with that sickening gleeful smile. Of course he knows this image quite well. But... something was different. To his side, a companion, but not just a companion. No, this one was the same Colonel that the monster threatened earlier that day, the one Atem wanted to keep close no matter what, the one he had full faith that this one could defeat this monster. It was Roy.
This monster, however, seemed unimpressed.
"Such a foolish attempt, Pharaoh. While I do enjoy your little visits to me, I'm afraid I'm not one for sharing my toys with others so if you don't mind..."
Reaching into his robe the monster king pulled out a familiar card, one Atem was far too familiar with. Immediately the card glowed, green light blinding, causing him to shield his eyes. However it wasn't just the bright light as within moments he felt something push him back, more like force him back as the blow was enough to throw him to the ground. Once the glow disappeared and he was able to open his eyes he immediately drew in a small gasp as he saw it. The circle of the Seal completely encircling the monster, the Colonel, and...
Wait.
Why was Atem outside?
Why was Atem outside?!
That would mean...
"Colonel!!!" Atem shot up to his feet, ran to the barrier, and started pounding on the wall... as if his fists could do any damage to it. "Let him out, you snake!" He shouted to the monster inside the barrier. "It's me you want, not him!!"
"Don't be so impatient, Pharaoh. Our little one-on-one time will come shortly~" The monster taunted, staring right at Atem. "But first, allow me to rid you of this little distracting lamb of yours that you so foolishly sent to the slaughter-"
Snap.
A barrage of flames erupted from the ground in a blinding light, though was quickly blown back by the hand of the monster, whose damage was merely a burnt off cloak.
"You're quite rude for a man in uniform, but let's see if you can prove more entertaining than the little mouse over there." He outstretched a hand, the Sword of Kings appearing right in his hand. As he gripped it, he glared right at the Colonel.
"Now then, Colonel. Shall we dance~?"
And just like that a endless mix of Orichalcos magic and fire lit up the temple, contained within the walls of the seal's barrier. Magic, fire, dodge, strike. All Atem could do... was watch outside the barrier. Powerless. Until...
It was quick. Sudden. A high flame causing the monster to dodge low, the crouch enough to lunge forward, landing his precise strike... right to the chest. The chest of the Colonel. Of his Colonel.
"NO!!!!" Atem shouted out, his eyes widened in shock, barely registering what had just happened.
The Colonel found himself pinned against the walls of the barrier. He moved his hands to attempt to snap before they too were pinned to the wall by some magic force.
The monster, on the other hand, just smirked. Sword impaled into the chest of the Colonel, the stone on his forehead glowing as he let out a triumphant laugh. "For shame. To think a military dog would ever touch the King of Atlantis with his little fire trick, pah! This is the alchemy you speak of? Don't make me laugh!"
"Colonel! Colonel!!" Atem called out, once again pounding the walls of the barrier. "Let go of him, you bastard! Let him go!"
"Hahaha~ Well now, I've quite enjoyed our little dance, but as you know... all good things must come to an end." The monster, completely ignoring Atem, touched the pendant on his chest, causing it to glow. The barrier surrounding the two began to shrink, causing Atem to stiffen up, as that could only mean one thing.
"No... No... No!!! Don't!" Atem began frantically pounding on the wall, using his own body to try to break the impenetrable barrier. "Let him go! You want me, not him! Let him go!!!"
"Such a shame, Colonel." The monster smiled as the seal shrank to its final size, only around the Colonel. "This could have been prevented, had you not laid your hands on what was mine."
With a shatter the Seal faded, causing the Colonel's body to go limp, collapsing onto the floor in front of Atem, who immediately cradled the body into his arms.
"Colonel! Colonel! Please!" Atem begged, placing a hand on his Colonel's chest in an attempt to stop the bleeding, not even realizing that he was fighting tears at this point. Not another one. Please, not another one! "Open your eyes, I beg of you. Please."
"It's too late, Pharaoh. You of all people know this. Take a look." The monster pointed at one of the temple walls, causing Atem to look in the same direction to see...
"...!!!"
There, on the temple walls, an empty panel began to take form. Within moments his Colonel's visage was embedded on the stone panel, quite literally sealing his fate.
"No... You... you didn't... Colonel... Roy..."
"And there's another lamb you have sent to the slaughter!" The monster's voice rang as Atem just stared at the wall, the former Pharaoh's tears flowing freely now. "How many does that make? I've started to lost count! You must see the same enjoyment as I do of making your loved ones fight your battles for you. Perhaps the next one you throw at me can be a bit more of a challenge than this fodder."
"Roy... I'm... I'm sorry." The quiet whispered sobs of Atem echoed through the temple walls as he just stared at the image of his Colonel - his Colonel's soul - on the wall. "Come back. Please come back. Don't you dare leave me al-"
"Now then, Pharaoh..." Footsteps were heard moving closer and closer, louder and louder. All Atem could do was hold his Colonel's body until he felt himself yanked backwards, dropping the body in the process.
"Colonel!" Atem called out one last time before the sight of white sleeved arms enveloping him from behind petrified him, his breath caught in his throat as a cold hand cradled his face, wiping his tears away. A voice whispered in his ear.
"Where were we~?"
---
"!!!"
A loud gasp as Atem's eyes snapped wide yet again, awakening back to reality. He was awake, but very shaken, not helped by the lack of sleep and his emotional episode the night before, and now the vivid nightmare... losing his Colonel to that... that thing... just as he feared from the start!
He clung to his pillow, completely unaware and uncaring of the tears running down his face, breathing heavily, quickly, frantically. Too much. All of this was too damn much. First the threat, then his breakdown, now this?! Just when will it all stop? When will it all fucking stop?!
Breathing became hyperventilating, until it became frantic sobbing. Trembling became shaking, and his eyes squeezed shut to stop any more images, tears, whatever from forming!
Just... make it stop.
