A/N: Before you all start reading, I just want to let you know that this is all I have after 8 months. My writers block has been horrible as you will be able to tell from reading this. I don't want to get any of you Egyptologists upset at me for messing up the Underworld and such... So literally, if you know how it all works, PLEASE. Please tell me. I would love you forever. Just know I was going from books and videos along with my teacher on what was correct. She didn't even know what to tell me. I had to explain to her yeah, said person going through the afterlife doesn't have a body and never even knew he was a pharaoh until maybe, a day before and never got to see or study the tomb paintings... I tried guys. I really did. But today... I cant type anymore. My brain is fried from the past few months events and life stresses. So please be nice to me here. ;~; I love you guys. I tried my best for you.

Bright piercing light blinded the Egyptian king, his entire being feeling weightless and numb. He was limp, his eyes closing against the unyielding brightness and eternal warmth of his destination radiating from the seemingly never ending light. 'Light.' His light... Atem furrowed his brow, his heart lurching in his chest to the thought of his dear hikari. Had he really wanted him to leave? What had he done so wrong? The pharaoh could feel his core beginning to ache with guilt and confusion, the hole in his heart seeming to grow larger with each passing though. Was it so wrong to want to know why he had been pushed away from his one close dear friend?

Atem shook his head as if to clear it of all thoughts and felt himself being drawn towards what seemed the gates to his final resting place, his eyes widening as soon as he saw what he was about to face. 'The gates to the underworld... 'The king took in a deep breath of the cooling air around him in his descent, easing his newly found frantic heart. It was true that he had been preparing his entire life in Egypt for this grand event but had never thought he'd have to go through it himself. Before he knew it, he could feel the cool damp stone beneath his feet, the stale, sour scent of a river filling his nose. 'This is it...'

Atem raised his wary eyes to the pitch black waters, its current softly rocking a boat from side to side as it remained tied to the stone floor by a shimmering golden rope. Two decorative golden spirals protruded from each end of the boat, both inlayed with precious stones and metals, an ore resting in its interior. The boat itself was a deep jade, gold trim lining the edges. The soft lap of the water against its sides and the stone floor was enough to ease the pharaoh's inner being, though not enough to soothe his aching heart. Atem knew what he had to do, that didn't mean he would enjoy it though. It was his destiny.

'I must travel the course of the sun... Hour one...' The king swallowed as he took a hesitant step towards the boat, his soul's form stiff but straight. He remembered little as to how to navigate or what he was going to face for sure, every one of the pharaoh's senses heightened.

The soft glow of passed souls filled the king's peripheral vision, Atem's eyes snapping to each form. "Whose there!?" He snapped in a hidden panic, his deep magenta eyes widening. As the spirits took to their shape, the young king took a step back to their uncanny resemblance. "Seth... Isis... Shada... Mahad... Mana... Karim and Shimon... " The pharaoh's voice trailed on as he gazed over his welcome, a wave of a soothing calm shivering through his core. All but one kneeled to their king; a young servant boy standing with ore in hand next to the small boat. His head was shielded by his hood, a dark shadow covering most of his face. 'I appear to them as Ra... Not a friend or pharaoh...' Atem thought with a bit of a sigh, the feeling of loneliness seating itself firmly in his heart. 'I am alone on this journey...' What he would have given to have his friends by his side. 'Yugi would have helped me through this...' The thought of his partner eroded his heart even more, the partner that let him leave without another thought. With not one regret he could tell either. The pharaoh's heart was heavy and aching, but a new fire seemed to flicker to life. One of anger and confusion. Why had Yugi let him go like he had? Wasn't he his friend and other half? 'What did I do so wrong to deserve this kind of cold shoulder from you?!'

Atem clenched his jaw tightly to these new feelings towards his light. He'd never felt this way towards him before. Not even when they would argue would this anger filled fire burn. His whole body was tense with nerves and with the aftershock of everything he had to come to terms with.

With a head held high, as any valiant king should appear, the king stepped into the boat, the young servant boy right behind him. The boat rocked slightly to the addition to its load along with the dark underworld Nile under its hull. With a few more light rocks from the boat and a good push from the young boy, the boat was untied and on its way down the nearly pitch black river. Not one word was uttered from anyone other than the pharaoh. The silence somewhat worried him, having still not adjusted from the bright world of the living. He was deceased. He had to get used to such a thing. Thousands of years being trapped in the confines of the puzzle had seemed to frighten the pharaoh, afraid of so many things that he had tried so hard to hide. True and utter darkness being one of those along with silence.

The dips of the ore into the water was the only sound Atem could hear. No sounds of a busy town or duels, no sounds of his friends or even wild life. The musty scent of the cavern made his stomach twist in nausea, the added nervousness not helping the poor king's situation. Clouds of fog gathered at the murky water's surface, the heat of the caves adding to its opacity. Small beads of sweat began to condensate on the pharaoh's sun-kissed skin, little shivers running throughout his limbs and spine. 'This darkness is a never ending hell...'

The harrowing hiss of serpents shook him out of his daze, sweat trickling down his temples and neck. The boat came to a sudden halt before the massive gate, guarded by hundreds of snake like creatures, their rattles and slithering sounds bouncing off the cave walls. They all eyed the pharaoh who, by now, was feeling his own soul trembling within. Sure he had faced far more terrifying beasts but these serpents could deny him his eternal rest if they did not hear what they needed to hear.

Atem stood, his eyes stern and fierce as he looked over them. 'Say their names to pass though... Their names... I... Oh no...' The king's eyes enlarged nearly to twice their size, a new found panic falling over his already nervous soul. 'I don't know them... My tomb was supposed to have the inscriptions of their names and how to maneuver this hell... I was never able to see those paintings. I was trapped in the puzzle... Oh sweet gods... Y-You can't make me do this. This is unfair!' The serpents hissing and near non-stop lunging only added to the pharaoh's unease. They were coming within inches of his bare skin! He knew he was doomed if he moved but also doomed if he was struck. He had to be the pharaoh he was raised to be; a strong, emotionless leader, not a cowering weakling. What would his father think of him if he shied away from these snake like creatures? 'If the gods won't help me... Then... Then I shall improvise!'

The pharaoh turned his hardening gaze to the slithering, scaly mass of snakes around the gate's golden trim, a new found blaze lighting his eyes. 'I must be careful with this... Without Yugi to balance my heart, I could lose control not having the full balance... I may be my own person but that does not rid my heart of the darkness...' Atem balled his hand tightly in his top and around the rope on which his puzzle hung, the empty feeling, where once his partner had filled, seeming to take hint of the darkness that still resided within him. The king couldn't help but to wince to the thought of his light this early on, a hint of anger flowing through him, feeding his emptiness. 'Let's get this over and done with... It is not cheating... I am using my resources.' He thought with a little smirk.

With a deep breath, the yami and pharaoh let out a low growl like hiss, his hands softly cupping the golden puzzle around his neck. The all too recognizable glowing yellow eye began to come into view, the serpents irritated hisses of disapproval filling the air. Atem knew for a fact they knew well who he was and the magic in which he possessed. "Grant me passage!" His voice boomed throughout the cave walls, many of the snakes already retreating back into the stone cavern walls feeling them tremble from the power of their subject's voice. Few of the serpents retaliated, all but one slithering away. Atem narrowed his eyes at the scaly being, the brightly shining eye on his forehead burning with a fierce glow as he tracked every movement of the snake. With a brave lunge, the cobra like serpent hissed and unsheathed it's fangs, the pharaoh's eyes widening a bit seeing the deadly venom seeping from its nearly inch long fangs. Atem had little time to react other than to shield his face with his arm, a loud scraping sound audible from his golden armbands. A small gasp escaped the king's lips as he felt the serpent clamp down on his gauntlet, it's jaws just strong enough to bend the metal. "Get off of me you vile creature..." He growled, grabbing the snake by the neck, it instantly releasing him, thrashing and coiling around his hand and arm, struggling for breath and trying its best to hiss. "I thought I asked nicely..." With one powerful sling of his arm, the pharaoh sent the snake flying into the dark waters of Osiris, calming only when the gate began to open. Soft pants were all he could muster, oblivious to the writhing snake in the water, feet behind him. A low roar sounded from beneath the dense water's surface, one great mouth of teeth, seething red eyes, those of which could challenge the master of darkness himself, snapping closed over the minute, in comparison, snake before retreating back under the surface. Little did the young king know, he was being followed, and closely at that, thanks to his hesitation with the first of twelve treacherous gates.

• • •

"Yugi?" No response. "Yugi!"

The young duelist's head popped up, his spiked locks of hair bouncing to his sudden alertness. "Yes ma'am?" his tired hoarse voice mumbled, rubbing his round violet eyes. It'd only been a few long hours since the pharaoh's departure, hardly one word having been exchanged between the group, only worried glances and small sighs. Ishizu hardened her gaze over the yami's former host, irritation ladened in her voice and posture. The duelist hadn't moved since their departure from the collapsed tomb, his eyes fogged with the remnants of tears of betrayal and anger. How could his darkness just walk out like that without even an inkling of a goodbye? The light just couldn't understand why his king merely nodded and left, not taking into account his own actions or words.

"You have been sitting there for nearly an hour and a half. They are serving lunch downstairs and you are needed there. It is of the utmost importance." The Egyptian woman sternly and quickly delivered, her eyes giving her away despite her outwards appearance. They were full of a mother-like concern but inlaced with a thankful contentment that only few would take the time to notice. Down deep she was elated that the man that caused her family so much pain and misfortune was now gone but seeing his former host as he was seemed to make that feeling more painful than it should have been. It wasn't that she blamed the pharaoh for her father's death or her brother's corruption, but it was very much implicated as such. She never stuck her neck out to help him or even to offer a kind word or glance towards him, not even a smile. It was not in Ishizu's nature to smile regardless but one would expect a few to slip up here and there. Not one was ever given. Her eyes were always glazed over with a serious, flat glint in them, her back always straight, her head held high. Never once did she let her outer walls crumble before the king or anyone as a matter of fact.

"I will be up in a few minutes..." Yugi managed, standing on tensed legs, using the table for support. He hardly even regarded the woman's fleeting presence, not making eye contact or even looking to her as she left. His mind was so jumbled and was still trying to reorganize itself from the loss of the hikari's yami. Yugi hated the empty void that seemed to be plaguing his mind. It was his mind now. No one else's. He was his own person now and there was nothing anyone could do about it. The light couldn't deny that it felt nice being on his own, free to do and live as he pleased, but the barren halls of his heart's hold wouldn't let him shake the horrid feeling of being truly alone. Of course, he had friends but they were nothing in comparison to how close he and Yami had been. The former pharaoh and his light could talk about just about anything. If Yugi had had a bad day, Atem was right there to comfort and support him. Vice versa on the rare occasions the king had let his inner heart shine through.

Tears pricked the duelist's eyes at the fond memories that he still retained, yet the burning sensation of hatred and betrayal still fresh in his mind. Yugi knew he had to calm down but there was no way he could with his mind still scrambled. The light gave his head a little shake as if to clear it, which for a few moments, he thought he had. A soft sigh escaped his pale lips as he glanced down at the puzzle that he has hardly been able to save, it still bringing a bit of comfort to him. Part of him wanted to believe that the spirit that once inhabited it could still see him though that golden eye on the item, to be protected once more but nothing he did could ever bring him back. He had been sent away by Yugi's hand and he had to live with it.

"Yugi! Where the hell are you?" A hoarse baritone voice growled, footsteps pounding down the stairs. Yugi looked up and away from the puzzle to the sound, blinking the redness out of his eyes. "There you are... We've been waiting for you for the past twenty minutes!" Those bone chilling blue eyes of the voice's holder seemed to paralyze the teen, his eyes widening seeing his former arch rival. "I know for a fact Ishizu told you to come up to the table with the rest of us."

Yugi could only nod and clear his throat at the much taller man. What was Kaiba's height anyways? Six foot two?! "I am sorry to have kept you all waiting." he mumbled out, just loud enough for the CEO to hear. He adverted his eyes as he pushed past him, his foul mood seeming to resurface. This was the last thing he wanted to do. He didn't want to face his friends in the state he was in. He must stand tall and push forward.

"Don't fake like you're tough Yugi. You will never be like that spirit you so thought you had." The brunette knew he had struck a nerve when the spiky haired teen stopped, his knuckles white from the vice grip he had on the railing on the stairs. "Hit a nerve did I? Oh, I'm sorry." Kaiba scoffed as he shrugged his broad shoulders, not having a care in the world. With that pharaoh out of the picture, he could easily claim back his title and the respect he lost when the little duelist came around.

Yugi's teeth clenched at every word that the other man said. The truth of his words stung more so than he'd thought, but the more he thought about them, the more his heart tore into pieces. It was true. The younger duelist would never be as successful as his darker half. He'd never be as wise or handsome as the pharaoh, or even come close to strong, emotionally nor physically. The hikari said not another word before bounding up the steps, not wanting to be in the CEO's presence. Whoever said I wanted to be like that heartless man!?

"What's taking Yug' so long? I thought Ishizu told him to come up half an hour ago!" The former hikari heard from the stairway. He knew that it was Joey nearly in an instant, his accent giving him away. "I'm starvin' 'ere!" Yugi couldn't help but to smile at his friend's statement. He never seemed satiated.

"Give Yugi a break, Joey. You saw him back in there. I had to drag him out before the whole place caved in!" a female voice chirped.

"That doesn't give him the excuse to keep us waiting on lunch! Plus, I know you had a word or two to say to him now that the pharaoh is gone. You always said he'd gotten in the way Tea."

Yugi stopped midway on the steps hearing the tone in his friend's voice, leaning against the cool metal wall, raising an eyebrow to the seemingly new topic. He wasn't on good terms with his passed yami but he was curious as to what his friends had to say about him.

"Eh shut it Tristan! I'm hungry!" The blonde pouted as he crossed his arms over his chest. Tea and Tristan both just rolled their eyes and sat politely at the large table, waiting, a few grumbles and whines of stomachs echoing off the walls. "Gah, where is he!? I can't stand this much longer!"

What does Tea have to say to me...? I haven't done anything to her have I? Yugi thought to himself, swallowing his nerves as he headed up the stairs. "I'm right here Joey." He said with a sigh, his eyes on everything but the three at the table. "You didn't have to wait on me."

The room itself was plush, but nothing too fancy. It was just enough to ride comfortably back to Cairo to catch the plane back home. A few circular windows lined the outer part of the dining area, the river and desert sands visible, blinding with the afternoon sun beating down over head.

"We didn't want to be rude unlike someone here." The brunette woman snapped, glaring daggers at Joey, the poor duelist throwing his arms up in defense.

"'Ey! I was waitin' too! My stomach just needs food to keep it quiet!"

Yugi seemed to tune the three bickering teens out, his mind reeling on what Tea had been talking about. Gotten in her way...? In the way of what...? A small sigh escaped his lips as he made his way to the open seat between Tristan and Tea, resting his hands in his lap silently. The garlic enlaced scent of the midday meal was making him hungry, but the twisting feeling in his stomach and still shaking nerves was making him shy away from the idea of filling his empty stomach. The teen had never been this emotionally confused in his life. He hadn't eaten since the previous night, and that had been a small meal in itself. It sure wasn't helping the former hikari's case.

It was only when he felt a tap on his shoulder from Tea did he break out of his zone, both Joey and Tristan still going at it. "Yugi?" Her light voice said softly, her eyes filled with worry but something else that Yugi could not read. "Just ignore those two and eat. They have been like this all day."

The spiky haired teen nodded and rested a hand under his chin as he poked at his lunch. It was peas with pork loin and mash potatoes, something he didn't particularly like to begin with. It was eatable though.

"Eh get off o' me you twit!"

Yugi couldn't help but to smile a little hearing his friend screech. At least he had them still, or so he thought.

Within the hour, lunch had been cleared from the table, all but one of the teens full and content. Yugi had hardly touched his meal, a little picking at the potatoes but nothing more than that. He was hungry but his stomach wouldn't allow him to manage even a little bite.

"So Yugi... Now that the pharaoh is gone, I was thinking on what we all would do when we get back. It is summer break back at home." Tea said cheerily, Yugi's eyes glancing up at her. Joey and Tristan seemed to hush themselves, slinking away into their chairs.

"I know. Grandpa needs my help in the shop though. I'm sure after all of these tournaments and robberies, people will be wanting their old cards back if they can find them." The young duelist spoke softly but firmly. Yugi didn't want to deal with any of his friends until he had gotten his head on straight. "Maybe when we are all free, we can do something."

It was evident that Tea was not pleased with her friend's answer by her small huff and narrowing of her eyes. She always got what she wanted. Never anything less. So why was Yugi basically snubbing her to work in the game shop? "I suppose."

• • •

With luck seemingly on his side, Atem had passed through the second and third gates. To him, passing through these tests was like second nature, not having to even pause or think. He let his instinct guide him as he had always done. By the gods that he was going to face, it sure had been working for the pharaoh.

Atem settled back in the deep teal boat, gathering his thoughts and calming his rapidly beating heart. Something about being down in these caves had the king on edge. His arms were peppered with goosebumps, the hair on the back of his neck was on end, and his nerves were shot. He was beyond nervous, which was a new feeling for him. He wasn't in control. What else did he expect?

Down deep, Atem was a control freak. If he couldn't predict or control the environment and living things around him, he wanted nothing to do with it. One could argue that deuling with his partner was out of his control, but to him, he knew his deck, therefore he could control it. It was a very strange logic that he had to become accustomed to when he entered the modern world with Yugi. Being pharaoh must have ingrained the desire for control into the king.

With a light sigh, the young king felt the boat being slowed to a stop, the small servant boy with the shrouded face tying the boat to the small tie-offs. The river knocked the side of the small boat against the side of the stone, the scraping of wood against rock making his passenger cringe. Atem did not like the idea of getting into these murky waters. He knew something was out there, he just didn't know what as of yet.

A loud hiss fell upon the king's ears from the large gate, yet again, the snakes were back. "More snakes and slithering beasts I see..." Atem's voice echoed off the damp cave walls, his eyes narrowed at the slithering mass of snakes surrounding the old, golden gate. Grasping the golden puzzle around his neck, he calmly started towards the gate, the disapproving serpent guards narrowing their green eyes, spitting and lunging. Atem knew what the snakes were looking for; the inner power and the magic one possessed. He knew he had the inner strength, but magical strength, he somewhat doubted himself. He wasn't a shadow in which he could control, nor was he the shadow he was when he was trapped inside the puzzle. How could I even try to control the shadows? I can gather my strength, but can I animate the darkness that follows us everywhere?

The pharaoh stopped within lunging distance of one of the larger snake like creatures, determined to get these scaly reptiles to leave him be on his journey. Just the sight of them was enough to irritate the king. Atem locked eyes with the serpent, cradling the puzzle in his hands, a gentle and soft glow radiating from the puzzle. Just remember how it was done when the shadow creatures were after Yug-... After him... The soul shattering reality hit him once again, a strong direct hit to his heart. Yugi didn't want his protection any longer... Nor his company nor affection, admiration, or guidance. The pharaoh froze in place, his hands gripping the cool metal of the puzzle serpent only feet in front of him was clearly losing its patience, a low hiss coming from its mouth, fangs dripping, ready to strike the king down. I must focus! Forget about him! This is what he wanted. He wanted me to be free. As much as he wanted to convince himself that that was truly what his heart was telling him, he couldn't help be feel betrayed and most of all, tossed aside and abandoned, by his lighter half. He was alone once more, just like the forsaken millennia in the puzzle's labyrinth in which he was trapped. Being free doesn't seem all that different.

The young king clenched his jaw tighter AND I CANT.

See what I mean guys? I just don't have it in me anymore. ;~; My writers block turns into horrible plot development that then turns into WTF chapters and moments. ;~; I am so sorry... I'm trying my hardest. Ive been working on this chapter since I first posted the first chapter, A Silent Parting. I was so inspired when I wrote the prologue but now, I can't even write a decent chapter anymore. You all will have to forgive me...