A/N: So, I've decided to start over. I guess it's a good thing I've only written two chapters for this, huh? I have a lot of ideas for this story, I think it could be great if I actually get it off the ground.

I liked the first chapter I had before, but I like this version even more. The second chapter of the version I had before kind of fell flat for me, so I'll have to spruce that up a bit too. The third chapter that I had been working on was mostly awful. I didn't like it at all, haha. Hopefully starting things off a bit differently will help.

The way I introduced my OC was horrible. She came off as a total victim, which is in fact the opposite of what I want her to be.

So, for those of you who have already read my other two chapters, I hope you like the new beginning. I hope you new readers enjoy it as well.

This story takes place after the Orichalcos arc.

Duat

"I had never been one to celebrate birthdays. They seemed pointless to me, I had lived through so many of them, why did I have to continue to celebrate each one? My wife insisted, however. Each year, there was a banquet in my honor. Why should this year be any different?"

The king opened his eyes. The sound of glorious music drifted through his ears as he watched his fellow gods dance around the throne in celebration. He smiled brightly as a familiar face approached him. The woman had long black hair and beautiful jade green eyes. Her stomach bulged slightly, and her skin glowed like that of an expectant mother.

"Happy birthday, My dear Lord Osiris," she greeted softly, her eyes glittering with joy.

Osiris beamed at her. "Isis, my love…must we carry on with this tiresome tradition? Spending the day with you would be plenty of celebration in my eyes."

Isis wagged her finger at him playfully. "Tradition is tradition! Grit your teeth and bear it, my king. This is supposed to be a happy day."

Osiris shook his head as his eyes lowered to her stomach. "A happy day will be when my son is finally born."

Isis dazzled him with her smile. "Ah, yes…Horus…" she drummed her fingers on her stomach contentedly. "I expect he will be a great ruler one day."

Osiris nodded in agreement. "Yes, he will be far greater than I."

Isis opened her mouth to reply, but suddenly the doors to the throne room burst open. She turned around to stare at the open door in surprise. The music died away, and the gods ceased to dance.

A man strode in, his eyes and hair red as blood. He was a handsome man and seemed perfectly normal…until he smiled. His teeth were sharp like the fangs of some kind of animal. There was a crazed glint in his eye.

Osiris stood and eyed the man warily. "Set," his voice boomed dangerously, "what are you doing here?"

Set laughed, and it sounded like wind chimes. The gods seemed to relax at the sound of it.

"What kind of brother would I be if I didn't come to your birthday party?" He shook his head and chuckled. "Besides, I've brought entertainment!"

With the wave of his hand, four men carried in a golden sarcophagus covered in the finest jewels anyone had ever seen. It was a beautiful piece of craftsmanship, no one could deny that. The gods whispered to each other frantically, commenting on the beauty of the coffin. Osiris took his seat on the throne once more, and Set smiled at him as the men set the coffin down on the floor.

"You will find no finer casket in all of Egypt, I assure you. It's enchanted, you see. Whichever god sleeps within it will never be defeated. This is quite an invaluable piece. It is a gift for the one god that fits inside perfectly," Set explained to the entire room of spectators. He grinned as he scanned his captivated audience. "Who would like to begin?"

Gods pushed past each other eagerly to get their shot at the coffin. Many of the gods who attempted to fit inside were too tall. Those that failed grumbled and complained about how the coffin had obviously been made too small on purpose…

Osiris watched in amusement, his eyes glued to the sarcophagus. Its beauty had drawn him in, and the thought of being unbeatable was quite appealing indeed.

"Brother," Set called out, his laugh ringing out once more. "Come, try it! I implore you! Only the best of the gods can fit…besides, it calls for someone short." Set glanced over at the coffin and then back to Osiris. "How tall are you again, brother?"

Osiris grinned. He stood up and took a step toward Set and the coffin, but someone grabbed his hand. He froze and turned to face Isis with a confused expression.

"Don't do it, my love," Isis whispered, "I'm begging you, he cannot be trusted!"

Osiris gave her a dismissive look. "Relax, my dear. It is all fun and games." He slipped his hand out of hers and walked straight toward his brother and the waiting sarcophagus.

Set's smile widened as Osiris neared him. "All hail the mighty King Osiris!" he declared joyously.

The other gods watched, transfixed, as the King of Gods put one leg, and then the other, over the side of the sarcophagus. He took a deep breath, one last glance at his brother, and then lowered himself down.

It was a perfect fit.

Set's laughter was heard again, but this time, it didn't sound as enchanting. With the snap of his fingers, the lid of the sarcophagus materialized out of nowhere, sealing Osiris inside.

Osiris shouted and banged his fists against the lid with all of his might. He heard the latches clamp shut, dooming whatever chance he had had of getting out. Still, he persisted. There was a slight chance that he could break the latches…but he would have to do that before…

He heard Isis screaming at Set. He heard her crying, demanding him to release her husband, promising him that he would pay for what he had done. All Set did was laugh in her face.

Osiris heard the commotion outside of the coffin. The other gods were in a state of complete disarray. He heard them screaming, yelling, running around in different directions. There was nothing he could do to help them.

"Dear, dear Osiris," Set whispered, his voice barely carrying through the crack between the lid and the sarcophagus. "You won't get to see the day your son is born. You won't get to see the beautiful, smiling face of your wife ever again. How does that make you feel? Does it hurt?"

Osiris felt his blood boil, and his efforts to break through the latches intensified. Hot tears pricked at his eyes as he thought of his son being born without a father, growing up with only Isis to look after him…he thought of Egypt, and what its fate would be at the hands of Set…his family would have to go into hiding, undoubtedly Set would attempt to kill his only heir…

Osiris screamed in rage, earning only a hearty chuckle from his deranged brother. "Good night, my brother. May your rest be full of eternal nightmares."

Osiris heard the sound of liquid being poured onto the sarcophagus. In an instant he knew what it must be: molten lead. It would seal him inside for all eternity, but not only that, it would…

The interior of the sarcophagus blazed with the heat of a thousand suns. Just as the last of the molten lead sealed the crack of the sarcophagus, one last agonizing scream escaped from the victim as the temperature reached painful and unlivable heights…

"I've always despised birthday parties. Now I have good reason to. Wouldn't you agree, my child?"

Yugi jumped out of the bed screaming. Sweat poured down his face as he rushed out of his room. He pushed the door of the bathroom open and turned on the shower, jumping in immediately, pajamas and all.

He breathed heavily, catching his breath as images of his nightmare ran through his mind. As he reached the part where the molten lead had been poured over the coffin, his legs swayed weakly beneath him. He fell to his knees and allowed the water to cool him down.

It was just a dream…he thought over and over again, it was just a dream…

If it had only been a dream, why had he felt everything that Osiris had felt? The heat had been so intense…he had felt it. He had awakened feeling as if someone had lit him on fire. That's why he had run straight to the bathroom…but why had it felt so real?

After a few more moments, his breathing returned to normal and he no longer felt like a human torch. He turned the shower off and exited the bathroom, tracking water through the hallway. He slipped back into his room and closed the door behind him, breathing a sigh of relief.

"Yugi."

Yugi winced. He mentally prepared himself for the lecture that was about to come. He slowly turned around, his eyes locking onto a very grim looking spirit sitting on the edge of his bed.

"Would you mind explaining to me what just happened?" the spirit inquired. His expression was dark.

Yugi tried to smile. "Relax, would you? I just had a bad dream."

The spirit raised an eyebrow, but it was obvious that he wasn't amused. "If it was just a dream, why did you scream? Why did you douse yourself in water, furthermore, still wearing your clothes?"

Yugi sighed and dropped his eyes to the ground. "Yami…don't worry about it."

Yami stood and walked over to him. He nudged Yugi's chin with his finger, causing the latter to look up at him reluctantly. Yami's eyes bore into Yugi's. "Don't worry about it? After everything that we have experienced together, you should know better than to tell me to not worry about it! This dream has shaken you; I can see it in your eyes. Tell me I'm wrong, and I'll simply drop the subject. However, if you lie to me, I will know." He turned on his heel and took his place on the edge of Yugi's bed once more. He crossed his legs and his arms, waiting patiently.

Yugi stared at him for a while, trying his hardest not to groan in frustration. Yami could always see through his pretenses, no matter what. He opened his mouth to speak, but nothing came out.

Yami's eyes narrowed. Yugi didn't have to say anything. Yami could sense the apprehensiveness that his partner felt, and it was infuriating. Yami knew the reason behind it, and that memory alone was enough to send him spiraling down once more.

There was a knock at the door. "Yugi? What's going on in there, you're going to be late for school!"

Yugi glanced at the door over his shoulder. "I'll be right down grandpa!"

Yugi turned back to the bed, but Yami was gone. He sighed and got dressed into his blue Domino High uniform. He shoved his shoes onto his feet and tied them slowly, his eyes wandering to the Millennium Puzzle, which was lying on his desk, multiple times. He knew it was going to be a long day.

Finally, he walked over to his desk and stared down at the Millennium Puzzle. Ever since the incident regarding the Orichalcos had occurred, he had had a difficult time telling his partner much of anything. He loved Yami dearly, but for some reason, there was still the slightest shred of doubt and distrust lingering in his mind…he did his best to hide it from Yami, but he knew that the ancient pharaoh could sense it. That thought made Yugi feel relentlessly guilty.

"Yugi! Now!" His grandpa yelled sternly from just outside his door.

Yugi frowned and picked up the Puzzle. He placed it around his neck. "Coming!"

Yugi grabbed his backpack and slung it over his shoulder. He dashed toward the door in a mad rush.

Inside the Puzzle, the ancient spirit pondered his partner's actions…and mourned the trust that he had ruined between them.