I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh or any of its characters and plots.
However the following characters (their powers and such) used in this fan fiction ARE mine:
Lady Aurora Phoenix
Lady Natara Fear
Lady Sapphira Star
Blaze
Chaos
Havoc
I am taking a quick trip to the mailbox before continuing this chapter...
DDCfreak- Glad to know you like how it is moving along. Breaking it up was my only real option since I began posting it here... I always have the entire thing in one piece however in my computer so if ever you feel the need to print it off to read it start to finish you know you can always email me and I will send it over lol... Hope you have the Kleenex handy for this chapter though...
Atemu Fangurl- yes this one is a tear jerker... I bawled my eyes out writing it... (sighs) but we all knew it was coming to this didn't we (hugs) Just keep saying things will get better over and over again... Maybe between the both of us we will believe it (grins)... Get the Kleenex ready... and thanks for the compliment... I am just glad I can write something that others enjoy!
Now... on to the end of Part one of Eternal Love...
-edit- I had to go in and make a small change to in paragraph in particular in the middle of this chapter. Some of you might catch it- some might not- but I realized I made a mistake so I had to correct it before I got too far into the 2nd part to this series...
I Will Never Forget
The days went by fast and the Pharaoh's court began to find itself growing smaller and smaller. Mahado's death had taken a lot out of everyone and though their resolve to be stronger held fast, their faith was shaken. Their faith was shaken even more when Lady Phoenix's prophecy about a betrayal among the priests came true. Bakura had faced off with Akunadin in the shrine, destroying his summoning tablet before Akunadin even had a chance. Using the power of the Millennium ring he claimed from Mahado, Bakura made a direct attack on the priest. Pinned down and having no way to defend himself, Bakura gave the old priest a choice. To die, or become his servant.
Akunadin returned to the palace and decided to help Set bring for the white dragon Ka from Kisara. But, unfortunately for Set, he was going to bring it out using the only way known. She was brought forward to do battle but when Set saw the danger she had been placed in he stepped forward to protect her. Seeing his life was then in danger, she sacrificed herself to bring out her White Dragon Ka and save him. In turn, Set had been forced to take Akunadin's life. Just before the light in Akunadin's eye dimmed, he used his power to consume Set's mind, taking control of his thoughts and actions. It was at this time, Lady Phoenix began to have her violent visions again.
There had been so many battles. Atem had disappeared, and was thought for dead. When he finally reappeared, the palace had rejoiced, only to have the celebration cut short by the announcement of the deaths of more priests and the appearance of a greater evil. One, she knew he did not have the power to destroy. Somehow he managed to seal the evil within the Millennium Ring, but he knew this was only temporary. He had to come up with another way to defeat this creature. Lady Phoenix dreaded the day the answer would finally be revealed to him as to how to keep him sealed.
Atem watched his wife pace their bedroom floor in worry as he sat behind a small desk. He had been focused on his puzzle for the longest time. It was when he tried to speak to her and he received no answer that he even knew she was not listening to him. With a sigh, he stood and went to her, stopping her mid-pace and catching her in his arms. That was when he noticed the tears falling from her eyes. So intent was he on the problems with Bakura and the fall of two of his priests, he had not even noticed that she was again in fear.
"Tell me what is wrong."
"I cannot," she whispered, her voice and body shaking. Then, Atem knew. He knew this was the vision she had kept secret from him for three years now. He was not going to take no for an answer this time. He wanted to know what would happen. He needed to know.
"That is no longer good enough, Aurora," he told her. "You have given me the same answer for three years when this vision comes up. I know it has returned again and I can feel it is stronger. That means it will happen soon, does it not?" She turned her head away.
"Too soon," she answered softly.
"So I was correct then. It is the same vision you refused to tell me." She could only nod. "Then the time has come to tell me now. Only then can I make the moves I need to make." She looked up at him. Her blue eyes filled with pain, anger and fear all at once. He was surprised at the vehemence in her voice.
"Do you think it is that easy for me?" She questioned him, taking a step away to face him head on. "Do you really think I relish the idea of telling you about your last day here? The last day you will have to be with our children? To be with each other?" She stopped to take a few deep breaths to calm herself but even that did not seem to work. Atem sat stunned. He had no idea this was what she was holding back.
"How could you hold this information back for so long?"
"I wanted you to live your life with the kids not knowing that one day soon it would end. Be a part of them now because you truly wanted to. Teach them the things they needed to know from you and not know about the end. I was also hoping..." she sighed and choked back a few more tears. "I was hoping it was wrong." She ran a hand through her hair turned to hide the grief on her face. "But when the prophecy came true about the betrayal of one of your own, I knew it would not be long. Set had to kill Akunadin. It was in defense. He had no other choice and Akunadin brought it upon himself." Atem had clenched a fist when he heard the name of the old priest. Both in grief and in anger. "Set has grown even more heartless. He has been after you. He means to take the throne from you. And he means to do it soon. But that is not all," she said, stopping herself suddenly. Atem made an attempt to go to her and she evaded him, instead going to the balcony and just stared out over the once beautiful village, now torn and littered from the aftermath of battles.
"Aurora, I need to know." A simple phrase and spoken with truth. She hung her head again. Her knuckles had turned white from her grip on the balcony ledge. She had no choice now. The vision returned to her as vividly as before, and she told him everything. The battle with Priest Set and how Atem would lose this time. She told him how Set would gain the puzzle and the throne and carry on as Pharaoh. But she went on instead of stopping there as she had when she told Priest Set the first day she made her power of sight known.
"There is only one way to stop the evil this time around, Atem. No one here is strong enough to win this war. And it will take years to finish. Your powers and strength will be needed again one day. There is only one way to control the darkness that surrounds this land at this time. The power of the shadow games must be trapped within the puzzle. And your spirit must go along with it to keep them, and Zork contained for now."
"What?" Atem's eye grew wide in disbelief. "What are you saying?"
"I am saying you will leave us within the next day or two. You will have to. But it gets worse. The puzzle will be smashed to ensure the shadow games are locked away forever. That includes your spirit being trapped there. Only when the time comes for you to be needed again will the puzzle choose its next owner. But when the puzzle is put back together and you are released, your memory will be wiped clean. You will remember nothing of your time as Pharaoh save for maybe a few faded details. You will remember none of this land; none of your people. And you will not remember your children or myself. We will not exist to you. To your mind, you will simply think yourself to be a Nameless Pharaoh. Possibly even taking the name of Yami for your knowledge of the dark powers of the shadow realm. When the time comes, your memories will return. But for now, knowing you have but maybe one more day left, what will you do with this knowledge?" Atem was silent for a moment. Then he looked at her with sorrow in his eyes. He had wished things were different so he could watch his children grow. He wished things had not been so hectic with Bakura so he could have been more attentive to her. There was only one true answer he could give.
"First thing tomorrow, I am taking the kids and you and going somewhere just for us for a little while. Maybe down by the Nile. I will spend as much time as I possibly can with them, playing with them and teaching them some simple things that maybe they will remember when they are older. Even if they do not remember me, they can remember things I have taught them. But for now, I will make up to you time I should have made up for a long time ago. I have been so wrapped up in the events past that I have neglected you." She shook her head.
"No, you have not. You were doing what you needed to do."
"Maybe so, but I do still have a duty to you." He finally caught her again and wrapped her in his arms. "Do not think of what is to come for tonight, I beg you. Just let us be together one last night. If I am to leave, I will leave knowing I showed you how deeply my love runs for you, and gave you all I had to give. Please allow me that," he begged with his lips brushing hers. She whimpered and her tears fell as she gave in to his kiss. She tossed aside her visions, along with her cloak and just melted against his strong body. Her arms snaked around his neck and she kissed him deeply. He held her against him with one arm while his other hand combed through the silken threads of her hair. He pulled back only briefly to remove the puzzle from his neck and cast it aside on a bedside table. Then he drew her even tighter against him. Their passion took control, feeding their spirits and making them one. Clothes fell and they landed on the bed. Atem pulled back and brushed her hair from her face gently. His own jagged blonde bangs falling in front of his eyes as he gazed down at her.
"I never told you, that I considered you a goddess, did I?" he asked her softly. She raised an eyebrow at him.
"No," she said equally as soft. "I do not believe you have."
"I should have." He closed his eyes as the tears stung them and threatened to fall. He thought back on a lot of things he should have done and said when they had time together. "I failed you, Aurora. I am sorry." This time, she brushed his bangs away and lightly caressed his cheek.
"You did not fail me. You did all you were supposed to do. You were strong, and brave. You have been a good father, and a great husband. But you will forever be a brave, and powerful, but honorable and good Pharaoh. You have failed no one. Least of all me." He opened his mouth to protest and she only drew his lips to hers once again to silence him.
Several hours later, the sheets twisted around them, Lady Phoenix rested her head gently on Atem's chest and just laid there, listening to his heart. She knew she should sleep but she could not. Atem stroked her head, also unable to sleep as her words continued to repeat themselves in his mind over and over again. He felt the slight trickle of her tears as they fell against his skin and pulled her up to look her in the face.
"Some part of me will remember you, Aurora. What I feel for you is too strong to just be forgotten as easily as you say it will. I will find you again, somehow. I will do what I need to do and then I shall return to you. Somehow, I will make everything right."
"Just tell me again, you love me, Atem. That is all I ask, and everything will be as fine as it can be. I will watch over you. I will watch over the puzzle and see it does not fall into the wrong hands. When you return, I will be there to help you in any way I can. But for now, just tell me you love me," her voice gave out, as well as her strength and she collapsed upon his chest the tears fell like the rain that had begun to fall outside. Atem silently let his tears fall as well as he cradled her against him. He breathed in the scent of her hair trying desperately to imprint her memory into his mind so he could not forget. The scented oil she wore on her wrists and neck, an Egyptian Musk scent she had grown to love among other scents, he made a mental note of that. He kissed the top of her head.
"I love you, Aurora. No matter where I am, what form I am in, what year it is, I will always love you. I may not remember your name, but I will remember our love. You have taken over me, Aurora. I live you, I breathe you. You are a part of me. You showed me what true passion is. My heart will never forget that no matter what my mind forgets." Lady Phoenix cried out and clung to him even harder.
"Why do you have to go? Why?" she sobbed as she repeated the question over and over again. All Atem could do was rock her back and forth trying to comfort her by whispering sweet nothings in her ear until, finally, her tears ceased to fall and she fell into a deep but restless sleep.
True to his word, Atem woke early to get the children. He moved slightly so as not to disturb Lady Phoenix as she slept and silently, got himself dressed for the day. His eyes stung with new tears as he stared down at her, watching her sleep. He longed to be able to watch her longer but he knew his time was short. His children needed him now. If he was lucky to have another night, he would do for her again, what he did the night before. He knelt beside the bed and gently kissed her forehead before standing and going to the nursery.
"Daddy!" Adais squealed, jumping out of his bed and moving to him as fast as his little feet could take him.
"My son," he breathed. The ache in his heart threatened to tear it in two as he clung to the little boy.
"Daddy? What wrong?" Zahara asked softly, tugging on his purple cloak.
"No cry, Daddy," Sanura added as she came up to him as well. She reached up with her little hand and wiped a tear away before gazing at her fingers in wonder. They never saw their father cry before. It was new to them, and it scared them.
"Nothing is wrong, Zahara," he choked out. "Everything will be fine," he lied. Sanura looked at him oddly. Aside from her long flowing hair, she most resembled him, but her mother's keen perception was a trait she was quickly developing. He was certain she did not believe him, but being three, she did not understand enough to question anything. "Daddy may have to leave soon," he told them. "I do not wish to, but I may have to in order to protect you and keep you safe."
"But why Daddy go?" Adais asked, his big violet eyes staring up at his father. Atem closed his own eyes, fighting back more tears.
"I cannot really explain, right now. There are bad things out there that are trying to hurt people. I have to somehow stop those bad things in order to keep everyone safe. One day you will understand. For now, I thought we could go to the river and play for a while." Sanura's eyes sparked and she smiled.
"Daddy show us trick with puzzle?" Atem could not help but smile. Once he had used his puzzle to call forth the monster Kuriboh knowing it would not harm the children. They had loved playing with the little fur ball of a monster and it had become a favorite thing for them to want their father to do. He nodded.
One last time would not hurt, he thought as he gathered them and met their mother in the hall. She had taken extra care when she woke. Her hair hung loose and in small waves around her shoulders. A silver jeweled band wrapped around her forehead and under her hair. Her long white gown fit just snug enough to show off her sensual curves and her white cloak flowed out lightly behind her as she walked. Adais tugged on Atem's hand.
"Mommy pretty," he told his father with a smile. Atem chuckled and glanced down at his son.
"Yes, she is beautiful," he agreed.
"Beaut-ful!" Zahara said happily as she ran to her mother. "Beaut-ful mommy!" Lady Phoenix's smile was sad but dazzling as she swept the little girl into her arms. She and Atem just stood there for a moment looking at each other. With a deep sigh, they all made their way out to the garden and then down to the river bank where the children ran and played. Atem pulled her closer to him while they sat on the ground and she leaned against him.
This is how I wanted things to be, he thought, shielding his thoughts from her so she would not feel the ach any more than she already was. So this is my last day with my family... At least I will make it count for all it is worth. The day seemed to go by quicker than they all wished.
Dusk was falling, by the time the royal family decided to make their way back. Having been fed with supplies Atem had thought to have packed for them and a few things caught and bought throughout the day, things had turned out better than they had thought. That was about to change however.
One their way back to the palace, Set stopped them. His eyes were hard and cold. Lady Phoenix gripped Atem's hand and even the children shrank back away from the evil smirk on the once trusted relative's face. Atem never turned away from his cousin. He stood firm as he placed Adais on the ground who promptly ducked under his father's cloak. Lady Star was not far behind Set, but she made it obvious she was not in accordance to his choices. Carefully, she moved around him and took Sanura's hand in an attempt to pull her away from the tense scene in the hall.
"Aurora, take the children and go, now," Atem told her in a strained voice as he maintained eye contact with his cousin.
"No, Atem, I cannot go. I will not go," she responded in a firm voice. Lady Star reached to take Zahara from her friend as Lady Phoenix stood strong beside her husband. Atem turned and reached for her then. His crimson eyes shone with tears he was trying to hide. He shook his head and took her hand.
"You have to. You have seen what will happen. The children should not be here to see it. I do not want you to be there to see it either."
"I will see the children are safe, but I will return. I will not leave you," she swore to him with her teeth clenched, her grip tightening in his. He looked away from her.
"Do not make me have to send guards to be sure you stay away, Aurora. I will." He swallowed hard. She raised her head high.
"Send them if you wish. They will protect the children as will my friends, but I will not stay no matter what you do. I will not leave you, Atem."
"So what will it be, Pharaoh? We do not have all day," Priest Set told Atem, his impatience beginning to show. Lady Phoenix turned on him.
"I know what happened to you," she told him. "You will come to regret this day, I swear it."
"You can do nothing to me," he scoffed.
"I will not have to. You will bring the guilt on yourself when your head is clear again." Her voice had grown dark and her hands shook with her anger. Set sneered at her and raised his Millennium Rod.
"Do you wish to feel the full power of the Millennium Rod?" he challenged her.
"Go ahead and take your best shot," she returned, taking a step toward him. Atem pulled her back.
"No!" he demanded. "Aurora, go, now! I will face my destiny and accept it. I will do what needs to be done." He all but shoved her to follow Lady Star and the children. Her pride kept her upright and she hurried along the corridors of the palace. Her cloak wildly flapping behind her. I am sorry, my love. His mental voice echoed in her mind as he turned to face his cousin. "Let us get this over with."
Tears silently streamed down her face as Lady Phoenix and Lady Star locked themselves within a room that had been set up for emergencies. Soon after, sensing her distress, the other Strikers had joined them. She asked them if they had heard anything about the duel between Atem and Set. They had all shaken their heads and she began to pace the floors. Suddenly she stopped. There was one way she could know aside from going back to the dueling grounds she knew they would be. She had never attempted to purposely call forth a vision before and she was not sure it would even work. But she had to try. She swallowed hard and relaxed enough to let the detachment come to her that allowed the vision to come. It found the battle between Atem and Set. Atem was weakened and on his knees while Set laughed and boasted about his strength. She saw him conjure a white dragon. Atem's eyes grew wide as the electric blue light came at him in the attack.
"No!" she gasped, straightening herself. Everyone looked at her. All she could do was gaze down at their children. "I have to go," she whispered softly. She knelt and let her children come to her in a small group hug. "I will return, sweethearts. I will not be gone long." Swiftly, she stood and left the room. Breaking into a run, she made her way through the halls, ignoring the shouts and glances from servants and the few priests that remained. She thought she heard the evil laughter of Bakura as she neared the dueling area they used for practice. Smoke was rising, but there were no sounds to be heard. She leapt over a small wall and found herself behind the chair Atem always sat in to watch the duels between the priests. When the smoke had cleared, she saw Set on one knee, visibly shaken. He held his head and his Millennium Rod lay on the ground at his feet. Then her eyes swept over the field and found Atem face down on the ground. She cried out and fear and anguish and ripped herself away from the chair to go to him. Turning him over so she could see his face, she sobbed and brought him against her, letting his chin rest against her shoulder. He coughed as her tears fell in his hair.
"I thought I told you to leave and not come here," he whispered weakly as he struggled to back away to see her.
"I told you I would not stay gone," she said in return. "I will be with you till the end and longer," she promised him placing a kiss lightly upon his lips. Then they remembered Set. Lady Phoenix looked up and across the field as Atem sat up and tried to stand. Together, they made their way to the Priest. His eyes were wide and his hands shook.
"What have I done?" They heard him say. Lady Phoenix closed her eyes and lightly touched his shoulder. She saw the ending of the battle. When he called upon the white dragon to finish the duel, Kisara's spirit came out and released Set from the darkness that had been controlling him. Unfortunately, it had already been too late to call back the attack. He won. He would be Pharaoh, just like she had told him. And he made it at a great cost. He lost the woman he loved. And he betrayed his Pharaoh. His cousin.
"You told me this would happen," he said, shaking his head in disbelief. She knew he was only just know remembering her prophecy. "You told me and I did not want to believe you then." She swallowed, but said nothing. Atem removed his puzzle from around his neck.
"Stand and face me, Priest Set," he said, his voice weak but stern. Silently, Set rose from the ground, and Atem handed him the puzzle. The symbol of the crown. He passed his throne to the winner as promised. Set looked down at the puzzle in his hand in shock. Then he looked up at Atem.
"What happens now?" he asked.
"Be a good and fair Pharaoh," Atem answered. "And there is one final task that I must have you help me complete." Set stared down at him, confused. "I need you to seal my spirit inside the puzzle."
"But, Pharaoh, why?" Lady Phoenix turned her head away.
"It is the only way to keep Zork contained. The power within his spirit is enough to keep the Millennium items controlled, but he must be within the key piece. The puzzle," she explained.
"In order to ensure the darkness remains trapped, not only must you seal my spirit within the puzzle, but you must smash it so it cannot be put together again. This way the world will be safe from the evil, and your reign will be a peaceful one. You can rebuild this kingdom. And rule it the way it should have always been ruled." Set looked down at the puzzle again.
"I do not think I can," he responded softly.
Atem reached up and placed a hand on his cousin's arm. "I know you can do this. You have to do this. It is the only way." They were silent for a long while as the judgment hung over their heads. They all knew it would happen. None of them were ready, though, and none of them wanted it to happen. Finally, Set cleared his throat.
"You realize then it has to be done soon so we do not take any chances on Zork somehow finding a way out of the Ring." It was a statement, not a question. Already, Lady Phoenix had begun to see the softer side of him coming out again. She looked away but held her place. She had no idea how she would let go. "Shall we get this over with now, or let you say good bye?" Atem had not thought he would get another chance to say good bye. He looked up at Set with grim respect.
"Let me hold my kids one last time, please," was all he said.
They carefully made their way back to the palace. The servants all bowed their heads as the three passed, not sure what had happened. They did take note of someone new holding the Millennium puzzle. A change was surely about to take place. Atem's eyes shone with new tears when the door to the hide-away room was opened and the kids ran out to greet him. Lady Phoenix stood back with Priest Set to watch them cling to their father. She could not meet the eyes of anyone in the room. She was not only feeling her grief, but Atem's was filling her mind as well as he thought about all the things he had wanted to do with them; for them. Even Priest Set could not look at anyone. His guilt had taken control of him. Lady Star had stepped forward and lightly touched his arm. He merely glanced at her hand for a moment before risking a glance at her face.
"I will meet you in the main hall, Pharaoh," was all he said before turning and leaving, though his eyes never left her face.
"Will you need us to stay with the kids again?" Lady Fear asked quietly by Lady Phoenix's side. Lady Phoenix bit her lower lip and her face cracked. She turned away and ran to the bedchamber, knowing it would be the last time she would be in there. She knew she could not remain in the Pharaoh's room when it was announced the Set had won the throne and would be the new Pharaoh.
"I would take that as a yes," Chaos commented lightly at Lady Fear's concerned look. "Pharaoh, we will take care of them. They will know the lessons you wanted them to learn. They will know your story as far as we can tell them. We will keep them safe. Right now, I think someone else needs you more."
"Thank you, Dorian," Atem replied in a shaky voice. Adais looked up at his father.
"Daddy, no go. Daddy stay wit me?" His round violet eyes filled with tears and his lips trembled. Lady Fear had already taken Zahara, who was still reaching for him and crying. Chaos reached for Sanura and held her tightly in his arms as if trying to shield her from the truth.
"I have to go, Adais. One day you will understand. Maybe one day we will meet again. Just be strong, my son. Listen to your mother and your aunts and uncles. Know that I love you, each of you, my children. And know that I will always be a part of you." Not able to speak anymore, he allowed Havoc to take little Adais as he turned to go after Lady Phoenix. He heard her crying as he rounded the corner to his room. He gently opened the door and found her face down on the bed they had shared for three years, her face buried in her arms. He had seen her vulnerable before, but this was worse than anything he had seen.
"Aurora, my love, please no. You cannot cry like this, please," he begged as he quickly went to her side and pulled her to him. Her body shook with her sobs and hard as she tried, she could not get control.
"I have known this day was coming for three years now," she choked out between sobs. "I still am not ready to let you go. I do not think I can." She melted against him again and he looked up at the ceiling as he held her tight. He had no clue what he could say to make it any easier. He was having a hard time accepting his destiny himself.
"Please, then, do not be there when it happens. Just go somewhere. Take the children and go somewhere you can be safe."
"We will be safe. We always will be. But we will be the ones protecting your resting place. As long as it takes. I just have to remember that one day you will return again. And I will look forward to that day when I can hold you again." He clung to her a little tighter and they both sat for a long time in silence. There were no more words to be said. There was only the mental preparations for the moment he had to leave.
A knock came lightly on their door.
"Pharaoh? Priest Set wishes you to meet him now in the main hall," a servant told him from the doorway.
"I shall be there in a moment." Atem stood and Lady Phoenix followed. He tried again to plead with her, but she refused to stay behind. Brushing a hand through her hair she walked beside him as they entered the main hall. Priest Set stood waiting. The puzzle still in his hands. They nodded at each other with grim respect. Priest Set turned to Lady Phoenix.
"My lady, are you sure you wish to be here?"
"Yes," she answered, her voice barely above a whisper. Atem raised her hand to his lips. Then he pulled her to him one last time.
"There will come a day, when I will return to you again. I will not forget our love. Nor will I forget what you have given me," he whispered in her ear. Even if I forget names and faces, I will never forget your spirit. It will always be a part of my heart. Your scent, your eyes, your hair... I will know you when we meet again."
"I can only hope," she whispered in return. She had no more tears to cry, though she wished she did. She pulled back and watched him step forward.
"Just take care of them, Set," he said lightly. Set nodded.
"They will be able to stay here as long as they wish. They will be kept safe. I promise you that, Pharaoh." Atem shook his head.
"You are the Pharaoh now. You know what must be done." Set looked away to gather himself. The room was cleared except for the three of them. Lady Phoenix closed her eyes and she felt the Puzzles Power as it was activated. Atem turned to give her one last look. His crimson eyes heavy with anguish and grief.
"I love you, Aurora."
"I love you, Atem," she returned feeling new tears beginning to form as his eyes closed. He cried out in agony as he felt his spirit being ripped apart from him. It was all she could do to keep herself in one place as she watched his body fall lifeless before her his hand outstretched, reaching for her one last time, just as he had in her vision. She screamed out and ran to his body, falling upon him. Her cries echoing though the palace. Priest Set turned away and hung his head. The deed was done. The Pharaoh, Atem was no longer. Pharaoh Set had taken his place.
A year had passed since Atem's body had been laid to rest within his tomb. Lady Phoenix had barely spoken a word to anyone. She concentrated solely on her children. The power of the Millennium Items had been sealed away within their own room, never to be touched, until they were needed again. Pharaoh Set had seen to it the puzzle had been smashed into small pieces and placed within a golden box. A special curse had been placed upon the box and the tomb in hopes that no one would ever attempt to gain entry. As the years would pass, people of that time would pass as well and no one would be around to remember his name. His legend yes. No would would ever forget the brave Pharaoh who gave his spirit to save their lives. But over time, his name would be lost to everyone.Lost to everyoneexcept Lady Phoenix and her friends. Their own magic kept them from aging and passing like the people of Earth. They would always be around to remember. But should he return, they knew he would have to follow his destiny and learn his name on his own; without their help.
Lady Phoenix stood beside the platform that held the Millennium Puzzle, safe in it's box. It would be many years before the right person would come for it. She would see to it, the puzzle remained safe until that time. She let her hand trail along the sarcophagus the held the shell that was once Atem's body. She went there everyday to see him. Though few understood why, no one ever questioned her. They just did not understand how deep their love was. She was not ready to let go then, she still was not ready to let go now. She knew she could bring him back and she toyed with the idea. But she knew better than to twist the hands of Fate. She had to merely wait her turn. Wait until destiny brought them together again.
"So what will you do now?" She started and turned to see Pharaoh Set standing just on the other side of the bridge that led to Atem's resting place. Lady Star was with him. She had become a strong part of his life as well in the last year. The swollen size of her belly showed that. As did the royal beaded necklace at her throat. Sadly, Lady Phoenix reached and touched her own necklace.
"Do as I have been. Protect the tomb. We have found a family worthy of the task. The Ishtar blood runs deep. It has ties to Isis as it is a part of her family. They will forever choose a son to wield the Former Pharaoh's memory on his back until his time comes to remember all. They watch over this tomb as I do. They are the Tomb keepers. As the Former Pharaohs wife, I am no longer of much service. So I will merely be an aide to them. As will my children as they grow older." She glanced back at the sarcophagus. "We will keep him safe." No more words to be said, she turned and crossed the bridge to join the new royal couple. She had nearly reached the entranceway when something made her stop and look back. A red glimmer in her mind. A glimmer she had not sensed for a year, since his passing. She gasped and spun around. There it was.
Sitting on the table which held one of Egypt's most wondrous, yet dangerous treasures, was the faint outline of Atem's spirit. He sat there and stared at her with sad eyes. Looking harder, she could have sworn she saw the faint twitch of a small, wistful smile as he stood. She smiled as his voice filled her head before she turned back to leave.
I will never forget...
Well, Part one of Eternal Love has ended... Be on the look out now for Eternal Love part 2: Returning Spirits to begin here shortly... Hope you all are enjoying this so far... please read and review on your way out... I promise it won't remain sad... Myself- I don't like sad endings (wink, wink)