"What you have to remember," said Mr. Ibis, testily, "is that life and death are different sides of the same coin. Like the heads and tails of a quarter."

"And if I had a double-headed quarter?"

"You don't. Those only belong to fools, and gods."

- American Gods, Neil Gaiman

Yami isn't sure what to say to the woman that had been called Layla Naunet. He only vaguely recalls who she was to him in his past life, and while he's not surprised by the confirmation that he's not a true, full spirit, but instead only a part of the spirit of someone she'd known, he's more afraid for Yugi than he is for himself.

The chimera is still circled around Yugi, keeping him trapped from everyone as Layla and Shadii seem determined to face each other down, Bakura and Anzu to one side and looking unable to really move from where they are while the Ishtars remain behind himself and Ishizu. He can guess the reason for Marik's fear of his power now - after being so consumed by his hatred and a corrupting darkness, it can be hard to regain your confidence. Not to mention that Yami is convinced Marik's mentality has regressed a bit.

Yami can feel the continue gathering of the Shadows as well, and that only makes him more aware of the fact that Layla is obviously hiding a few other connections to strong Shadows that have been with her for a while. He doesn't see them nearby, but that doesn't mean they aren't close enough to be called to stop the others as well. Shadii's own powers were causing a great deal of agitation among the Shadows, and it was obviously upsetting to both Bakura and Marik. It only makes Yami call up the Shadows to him instead, pulling them out as the Wadjet eye blares brightly on his forehead and he sees the chimera around Yugi almost back away submissively. The build-up of Shadows, the darker ones from the Duel that ended with him and Yugi being separated, and now with Shadii calling them to try to gain control, or start some sort of ritual, was beginning to swirl more and more. He saw Anzu try to hide from the sudden kick-up of wind as Bakura looked over at Shadii and Layla with a glare, his own power flaring up and, in response, Yami's power picking up.

The chimera backed away so quickly that it was almost too fast to see, and Yugi raced over to Yami's side as something seems to shift, Yami having the odd sensation of falling up instead of down, seeing Yugi reach for him as the Shadows began to swirl more and more, as if picking everything up and began to pull at it.

"Yugi!" Yami yelled out, the two reaching out and nearly grasping each other's hands before they finally managed it. The Shadows became darker and deeper as the sensation of being swept away and falling continued, Yami pulling Yugi in and holding onto him as Yugi wrapped his arms around him, the two falling up and around in the odd maelstrom created by the Shadow's being called to protect or fight or participate in whatever the ritual was to regain his memories.

But then what? Yami wondered as he looked over to see Anzu, Bakura, and the Ishtars attempting to hold on, Marik's forehead missing the Wadjet Eye while Ishizu's and Bakura's blazed with it. Yugi manages to let go long enough to reach out to Anzu, pulling the group together as Yami, Bakura, and Ishizu work to try to at least keep them from faltering in the storm.

Just as suddenly as the world turned to throw them upwards, they're suddenly controlled by gravity again, and plunge downward, falling faster and faster as the sky clears and they see a desert landscape with a long, huge green snake running down it and fanning out as it reaches the blue of a sea on the other side of the world. The wind suddenly picks up in force, almost as if pushing ad punching and pulling at them, and with a sudden pull and sickening punch, Yami's grip on Yugi is lost, and he can only watch as they all helplessly fall away from each other and down, heading quickly towards the ground.

He blinks awake and frowns, looking up at the ceiling and the way the slight breeze plays against the linen covers over his bed. It's quiet, too quiet, and he almost wants to figure out why the quiet is bothering him when it never did before as he sits up, stretching slightly as he looks out to where the sun is about to begin it's rise.

As he slowly opens the curtains, looking out to see the room he's in, he stops and blinks at the change around him. The gold is still there, as are the ornate colors and depictions of his father's many great deeds, and those of his forefathers, stretching back to Osiris when he was the Pharaoh, ruling alongside Isis and bringing the people agriculture and ma'at. But something about it is different too, and he slowly stands to walk over to the golden box that he'd not noticed before. It's so surprising to see it there, as if it holds all the secrets that Ibis could not find, and he starts to open it when a soft sound makes him turn, looking over at the doorway as someone walks in.

WHAT?

The surprise makes him put a hand to his head, the woman looking at him with some concern before speaking. "Are you alright, Pharaoh?"

"You are never so formal when we are simply in the rooms and alone," he mutters, removing his hand from his forehead as he smiles at the woman. Her hair was still long and almost as wild as the swt she commanded, her dress short but dyed to show some of her status, and the huge, dark tattoo of what appeared to be gold and scars stretching across her chest and collar, the feathers and designs that of the sacred protector of the Pharaoh. Tawny eyes looked over him worriedly before she gave him a small smile.

"Of course, but you must remember, today is important. I think a small be of formality is required, no matter who I might be to you."

"I still think you needn't use it, but if we are to be so formal, Sakhmet, then I suppose that is required of me." He walked over to her, putting a hand to cover hers as she looked at him for a long moment. "I had a very strange dream."

She smiled at him before there was a polite knock, and a tall man entered, his skin bronzed and his eyes an odd, brilliant blue color that made him seem to remember someone else like that, only they were paler, with their head uncovered and wearing something else, not the robes of a priest and the certainly not wielding the Rod.

"What is wrong, my sebah?"

"Sakhmet, you should not be so informal with-."

"I am fine," he says after a sigh, rubbing away the pain and wondering if, perhaps, he shouldn't speak to a physician about the headaches. "Simply a headache, though perhaps I should figure out what this is before we continue with the ritual."

The tall priest frowned, crossing his arms and looking serious in a way that was almost playful. "You do not get to use that as an excuse today, Pharaoh. We are now seven, with the Pendant you command as well as the power you have over the Shadows. It is vital this happens today." He gave a small smile that vanished almost as quickly as it had appeared. "Would you really do me the dishonor of postponing the ritual over a small thing?"

"If it's a sign of something more serious…" Sakhmet started, but he shook his head, finally clearing it of the odd dream, even if the strange feeling didn't leave.

"I will see the physician, but the headache and dreams will stop me from conducting business and allowing the ritual to continue this day. We won't have another chance for at least a year, Sakhmet. And Seth is right…this is important."

Sakhmet is quiet before nodding, putting a hand over her heart as she gave a small bow, glancing up at him as she did, something moving in the darkness behind her and between the shadows of the room.

"As you say, my star, my Pharaoh. I, Sakhmet, the Red Lady, will ensure this ritual is not interrupted, and that you and your rock, your pillar, ascend to the place your father and his faithful servant once held. You are the living Horus, and I am your protector."

"So you are, Red Lady," the Pharaoh said as he held out his hand and Seth moved to help him prepare for the day. The servants had all long stopped coming into this room, after one had attempted to assassinate the Pharaoh and, instead, learned what powers the Shadows had, and what Sakhmet controlled. "You are the nekhakha, the flail, that gives out the right punishment, just as Seth is my heka, my crook, to help me lead. Without either of you, I would not have the right to the sekhem granted to us by the Items."

Seth looks upset, though he holds the Rod over his heart. "You are a just ruler, and far too kind to your subjects, and even if I had not gained the rank I do now, you would still have your power."

Sakhmet slowly stood and gave him a smile. "You are the only one who has ever restrained my power, a power granted to me by the Mighty One, the one for whom I am named. That you can hold and gained the power of the Pendant, of the mightiest of the Items, only shows your true power."

Seth relaxed his stance, once more crossing his arms. "You know Siamun dislikes such displays."

"He is an old man, as is your mentor," Sakhmet said with a huff as the Pharaoh smiled at both, moving to get ready for his day, "and our sebah cares for us both. I don't see why they are so unhappy with the displays that the priests and chosen of the Items only see."

"Don't disparage my mentor and the one who allowed me into this group," Seth said a bit coldly before letting out a breath. "I don't know why. They act oddly, now that the final Item has been chosen me to wield it. Akhenaden is greatly troubled these days, and the ritual's date only seems to make him more upset and uneasy."

The Pharaoh paused as he put on the final cuff, putting a hand to his forehead and then to the Pendant. What was this odd feeling? Why did he still think of that dream?

Something bad is going to happen. Something will occur…and it will change everything. Everyone will be…everyone…

The Pharaoh scoffed at his worry. He was not the one who wielded the Tauk, even if the Pendant held power over all the Shadows. It was still one of mystery, the one linked closely with the power of the Pharaoh and with the power of the other Items. The only one different from all of them was Sakhmet and her Items, the three Items that made up her abilities and allowed her to be the first and last line of defense in protecting the priests and the Pharaoh.

She holds three Items? But then Shadii…

The Pharaoh turned around, attempting to find the odd-yet-familiar voice he'd been hearing all day, and finally stopping as his two friends and advisors looked at him. "Come. We are running late, and I wish to ensure this proud day is one to be remembered."