Finally complete! I almost forgot what that feels like, actually completing a story. Heh.

Anyway, sorry if you didn't like the way this story turned out, it was romantic and all, but this is how it must end. I'm trying to create art, not solely readers' satisfaction.

I figured that I had to finish this before this new inspiration for another short story takes me out of the mood of this one entirely! Look out for more updates in the (hopefully) near future!

Epilogue

Even as days, weeks, almost months had passed, Tea could never again separate herself from the instrument that not only created beautiful sounds, but held so much symbolism. Even during every distressing night: during the Battle City finals, the Orichalcos mayhem (and the temporary losing of poor Yugi's soul), and even the part that was undeniably the hardest – realizing that she, and everyone else in this world, had to say goodbye. To him.

It was he that held her heart, since the fateful night at the beach, through all the pain, turmoil, and suffering that befell her and her friends, especially him. She remembered the tear-filled nights, not all tears shed by her. Consoling the broken-spirited pharaoh after he had lost his dearest friend by his own lack of coherent judgment, witnessing him nearly kill Weevil atop the fast moving train, watching him break down yet again on the floor of the Valley of Lost Souls, was a dark, dark time indeed. Still, it made them stronger – as individuals, and their relationship with each other.

He, who had and will always have her heart, was the Great Nameless Pharaoh, Yami.

No, he wasn't nameless anymore. His name was Atem. They had finally learned his name, his heritage, his past, and his destiny. His destiny, of course, being by far the most difficult to accept.

Tea plucked at random individual strings on her guitar, crying softly on her bed, cradling one of two things she could remember him by. That, and the shiny necklace, with a silver oval-shaped pendant, hanging from her neck. She grasped it in her hand, feeling the indents leaving marks on her palm. The text engraved upon its face was written in ancient hieroglyphics, a language that will forever be foreign to her, but she knew what the letters meant.

Atem.

The name will never leave her mind, heart, or soul. It was beautiful in every way, very much like him.

The two lovers held each other close – the pharaoh of the ancient past and the musician of the present, a pair chosen by destiny itself. They made love, most likely for the last time, and it was both bittersweet and extremely emotional for them both. It was the best love-making of all.

"Atem..." she whispered, leaning her head against his shoulder.

"Yes, Tea?"

Tears rolled down her cheeks. It was too much to bear.

"I love you... so, so much."

"And I you. Could you do something for me?"

"Anything, anything you want."

"Would you... play me that song, one more time? The one you played for me, the day I fell in love with you."

"I... I don't think I can..."

"Please, I must hear you sing, at least one more time. It would mean more to me than anything else."

Tea took in a revitalizing, but choking, breath. She uttered a small "alright" before pulling the blanket aside, throwing on a large t-shirt, and picked up her guitar. Atem got dressed as well while she did this, and the two sat on the floor.

The guitar strumming was a little unsteady, her voice was trembling with emotion, and she fought to stay in the same key. But Atem didn't care. To him, it was just as breathtakingly beautiful as when he'd first heard it. Despite the disheveled hair, redness of the eyes, and tears cascading down her face, Tea still glowed. She and the music still mesmerized him.

It came to the point where Tea could no longer continue, so fraught with sadness that she even had trouble remembering the words that followed. Seeing this, Atem hastily rushed to her, gently pulling the stringed instrument from her lap and holding her close to him as she sobbed into his chest.

"Thank you, Tea. I cannot explain in words how much that means to me."

Atem's tired eyes wavered to the clock sitting on her nightstand. "I must go and prepare for my duel," he uttered sorrowfully, releasing her from his grip. And then they connected with one last kiss, savoring the taste of their mouths, etching each other into their memories to have for the rest of eternity. During the moment of sensuous passion, Tea felt something being pressed to her hand before having it forcibly closed. Atem's mouth departed from hers, one last time.

"I love you, Tea. Goodbye."

"Goodbye, Atem."

Moments after he shut the door behind him, Tea glanced at the object in her hand – the cartouche that she gave him, before they traveled back in time to relive his past. His name, Atem, was flawlessly engraved on it. She pressed it close to her heart. It seemed to warm up as she did this, as if trying to provide a small piece of his essence for her to keep even after he is long gone.

"I will never, ever forget you."

Tea released the cartouche from her hand, letting it fall back against her chest. She picked up her guitar, and played the song again, to what would be an empty audience, had it not been for Atem's still ever-existing soul, listening.

-END-