Epilogue

Yugi put one piece together, then another, then another, until the pyramid shape was complete. He had worked on Shadi's present since the spring, and it was now mid-summer. Yugi inspected the golden pyramid. All the runes were perfectly shaped and edged into an intricate dance across the pyramid. The loop on the top was big enough for a chain or rope. He decided to do a chain for insurance. Yugi nodded, happy to finally see the puzzle almost solved. Just one piece remained. It was the Eye. Yugi took it out of the golden box and carefully added it in.

"It is done, young master," said Obelisk.

Yugi turned to the miniature god sitting at the edge of his desk.

"Yes." He held it in the light for all to see. Obelisk stared enraptured by the intricacy of the puzzle. Osiris, who had placed himself on Yugi's shoulders huffed and curled further into the warm collar.

"Osiris, why do you make me hate you so?" asked Obelisk.

"No fault of mine brother. If you wish to gawk at one of master's childish games, who am I to deign it with a similar response." Osiris tucked his head inward to muffle Obelisk's coming retort.

"You disappoint me. Young master has worked hard on his engagement present. He hardly sleeps and—"

"Okay, I think that's enough guys. Osiris, you mind getting off me? I wanna show gramps and Remy."

Osiris reluctantly uncurled his body off Yugi and crawled to the desk. Yugi nodded and bolted out yelling "I finished!"

"He really did a good job," Osiris conceded.

"Of course. He is the King of Games." Obelisk nudged the dragon. "Osiris, it is not weak to show affection for one's master; especially for one such as Yugi."

"So I have been told." Osiris huffed and curled around himself again. Obelish shrugged and leapt off the desk for the bed.

On top the sheets lay their cards that were blank for now. They could roam the house in mortal form or change size and stay near Yugi. He put their cards on his made bed every morning. Obelisk and Osiris came out; however Ra had yet to emerge since his first release on the island.

Obelisk reached his when light flashed. He backed some inches until the light dissipated. Osiris had flown to the bed when the flash came. Ra stood there, haughty and glaring at his brothers.

"Affection! Care! All this nonsense for one boy; you both so easily taken in by his love and smile. Am I the only real god who believes this to be some farce. We live in a child's bedroom! And his elder is worse. He displays us. Us! As if we are toys meant for entertainment. Ha! I'd say we have been trapped here long enough."

With that Ra changed into his mortal form. Ra rummaged through the closet until he found the few articles for him. Grandpa had purchased jeans and shirts with hoodies for the gods. Ra's were all yellow and white. He growled. Clothes donned, Ra got up on the desk and opened the sky light.

"Wait," said Obelisk. He was in mortal form too and struggling to get jeans on. Osiris had asked for a red track suit, which he was zipping up catching Ra's ankle.

"And where, pray tell, do we go? Ra, you've only left this bed room once."

"I intend to never come back. Now, follow me." Ra kicked Osiris' wrist and shimmied out.

The last two looked at each other.

"He was the reason Pegasus had us separated," said Obelisk, zipping his fly.

0000000000

Several hours later, the three gods were strolling in the park. Ra sneered at any who came in eye shot. Osiris had stolen two wallets. He was at a stand selling snow cones. Obelisk worried over the time.

"We need to return before sundown. Young master will be expecting us."

"And he said Jono will be visiting this evening," Osiris said handing Obelisk a watermelon snow cone.

"We have abandoned them. Why bring up that child?" said Ra.

"We," Osiris gestured to him and Obelisk, "have not abandoned anyone, Ra. It is you who has decided to leave. Obelisk followed to make sure you did not do foolish things and I came to drag you home."

"Yes. Ra, we have been gone long enough. Certainly, you realize we cannot walk out of our duties. Young master is our savior." Ra snorted and Obelisk continued. "Do you wish to be trapped in the card? Do you wish to be in a case, buried under ruins? Because that is what the future held for all of us. Master Yugi is kind. He is righteous and merciful. He would not let harm befall us and he would not seal us again!"

Ra scrunched his face. "I am a god among cards and monsters," he said quietly. "I have the power to destroy this world and the next. And yet, my fate is in the hands of this boy."

"He has not hindered our freedom. In fact, he puts out on his bed and wants us to come out and explore this strange world. You are the one who has sulked thus long," said Osiris, his fists white.

Ra grunted.

Another hour passed in stern silence.

Obelisk looked to Osiris. He shrugged. Ra sat on the bench near the fountain hunched over and burning holes into the ground. Obelisk watched the sky darken to an orange with purple. He nudged Osiris.

Osiris rolled his eyes and sighed loudly.

"We're going back," he said to Ra.

The god hissed under his breath.

"If you wish to join us, brother, then come and end this. We want to be in Master Yugi's house and his care. You can stay out till the dead arise! Obelisk, toward home."

Obelisk shook his head, nonetheless he followed Osiris.

Ra saw them leave from his peripheral.

00000000

Opening the skylight, Ra entered feet first and was assaulted by a small body.

"You're back," said Yugi.

Ra landed backwards, head first, onto the bed where he was met with huge amethyst eyes. He sensed the nervous energy surrounding the boy. Yugi sat on his haunches and smiled small.

"Sorry for that," he said. "The others told me you were out "soul searching" as Osiris put it. I…I got a little worried after midnight."

Ra nodded. He checked for signs of falsehood in the boy's concern. There were none.

"I know this isn't ideal for you," Yugi said. "But I think you haven't given me a chance. I don't want to be your master, however many times Obelisk calls me that; believe me it's weird. I'm still getting used to the whole queen idea." He paused. "I'm rambling. What I am trying to get at is, ugh, what is it you want?"

Ra stared at this child. This child who is his master. This child who freed him. This child who waited for his return. This child who had nothing but love to give. Ra stared at this child and smiled.

"I… I am fine ma—Yugi. My soul searching is over."