“Wake up! Please wake up.” Yugi was panicking, trying to shake his love awake. "Atem, please for the love of Ra get up!"
The battle of Zorc Necrofades was intense and had lasted many weeks, but it seemed like it was finally coming to an end. With Horakhty’s help Zorc had been disposed of, but of course, not before he had a final attack directly against the Pharaoh.
He had been thrown rather far by the blast, and the priests weren’t entirely sure where he’d ended up, that is, until they found him amongst the rubble of a nearby ruined portion of the city. He was completely unconscious, or perhaps dead.
Atem was confused and a bit perturbed to be swallowed by the darkness. He didn’t even remember hitting the ground. Suddenly a large figure stood before him. Anubis.
“Oh gods...” he muttered, mostly to himself. “Have I died in battle?”
“Not quite,” came the booming reply, as Anubis looked down at him. “You have been successful in banishing the great vile one. But in his final moments he struck you out in return, to take you with him.”
Atem was quiet for a moment. “Did he succeed?”
Anubis shook his head. “As I have said, not quite... However,” He god reached down, touching the pyramid that hung from Atem’s neck. “Part of his soul rests in here. With part of your soul.”
“Am I cursed then?” Atem asked, brow furrowing.
“Yes. For your survival, you must carry this burden, clear into your next life.”
“My next life?” Atem asked, but it seemed he wouldn’t get an answer. Again he was swallowed by the darkness, until it consumed him. A moment later he could hear a faint murmur... it eventually grew louder, and he could make out... crying. Someone was crying over him....
The Pharaoh took in a small, shaky breath, gradually opening his eyes. Everything was dark, and blurry, but he could hear...