Homecoming - A Yu-Gi-Oh Fanfiction by Onezumi-Daisuke

Chapter 3

The sunlight glittered brilliantly across the desert landscape. Stone monuments and buildings rose, gleaming from the golden sands. People moved along peacefully, content with their place in the world.

The Pharaoh sat on his throne, overlooking all. At first glance he seemed content as well, silently watching the others as they passed by. But his hands were clenched tightly, gripping the armrests of his golden throne. His eyes restlessly scanned the peasantry before him, searching for one whom he knew he'd never find.

He sighed, chastising himself yet again. This was HIS afterlife, not Yugi's. He could wait an eternity here in this desert haven, this beautiful oasis, and his Light would never come.

"Why so troubled, my Pharaoh?" came the silken voice from behind him. He turned to see the goddess Isis materialize from wisps of smoke, her flowing gown remaining vaporous as she glided closer.

"Do you not enjoy your time here in the afterlife, my King?" she continued when he did not answer.

Yami turned his face back to the populace before him.

"This world is beautiful," he rumbled. "I have all I'd ever desired of my afterlife when I was Pharaoh." He paused, contemplating his next words carefully. It would not do to anger the Goddess of Magic with a few careless words.

"But… my mind dwells on another. I have seen another world beyond what was my own, lived another life…"

"But yours was a half-life, my King; that of an imprisoned soul, entirely dependent on another for life, mobility, completion."

"That is true," he responded sadly, lowering his gaze to his hand as he gently stroked his finger along one of the golden bands across his chest.

"And yet, I would give almost anything to have that life again."

"My Pharaoh, you were quite young when you were crowned," she now stood beside him, glancing down at the people below. "And young still when you saved the world. It was unfortunate, the hard life you led; unfortunate, but necessary."

"I know," the Pharaoh watched his people again. "I do not lament the life I led as Pharaoh. I stand by the decisions made and understand that my people were more important. My people, the world, they came first. Anything that had to be done to protect them was worth the cost."

"I see… And yet, you linger…" she gazed down at him. "Your mind is not happy here. You cannot find peace." She clasped her hands before her, turning her body towards him.

"I do not wish to anger you, Goddess, but no, I find no peace here. I look out at this beautiful land that you have created for me, and all I can think is how I wish I were there, with him, sharing his life. Even is mine were merely a half-life, just to spend it with him. My Light…"

"I see…" she whispered, lowering her gaze to the floor. "I am sorry, dear Atemu," he raised his head to look at her. She had never called him by name before. Her eyes were misted over as she gazed motherly back at him.

"I did not realize just how much that boy had come to mean to you," she smiled sadly. "I believe I can help with your unrest, my Pharaoh." The hope started to rise in his chest. "You, who have been ruler, prisoner, and friend, I shall grant you this wish."

Yami's eyes widened, happiness filling his very being.

"I shall send you to him, this Light of yours, in your own mortal body. You will not have the powers you have known in the past; there will be no mystic items for you to draw strength from or be contained within. You shall be human, the same as any other."

"Goddess," he whispered, "will I remember? Will we know each other when I am there?"

"Yes, young King, you both shall remember all. But do not expect everything to be as it was." She raised an eyebrow at him, now turned bodily in his seat to face her. Both his hands gripped the armrest before him. His body leaned forward as they spoke.

"Some time has passed since last you were together," she intoned.

Yami sighed, leaning back slightly. "Time is irrelevant. Every day here feels like an eternity without him," his deep voice faltered, thinking of how long it's seemed since he saw his Light. Since the day he'd dueled his young friend, walking through the mystic doors of fate to his destiny, believing he was doing what was right.

"Just know, Pharaoh, that time has passed. He may not be exactly as you remember." She laid her hand on his forearm, her voice gentling. "Now, come, Atemu. I shall take you to this Light of yours."

He rose quickly, clasping his hands around hers and bowing his head before her. "Thank you, Goddess. Thank you." He fought to hold back his tears as he followed her from the room, to a doorway that hadn't been there before. Isis passed her hand around the frame of the doorway, hidden symbols illuminating as she went. Yami was only able to catch something about 'life regained' and 'powers within' before the entire doorway glowed brilliantly, the door itself having vanished.

The white light, brighter than any he'd seen before, washed over them, bathing the two with radiance.

"Now, know that after this you will no longer be Pharaoh of Egypt." She stood beside the door. "You can never return here. You shall be mortal, and as such, you will be afforded an afterlife befitting a modern mortal."

"I understand," he straightened himself to his full height, conviction written across his features. Isis gestured toward the glowing doorway. "Then pass, my King. I wish you blessings and happiness in your new life."

He nodded gratefully. "Thank you, Goddess." He inhaled deeply, holding his breath as he stepped through the door. 'Wait for me, my Light,' he thought, closing his eyes. The glow was warm as he passed through. 'Wait for me.'