Chapter Text
All around there was blinding light mixed with utter darkness. I was breathless from too much air but not enough. Everything was scalding hot while also freezing cold. The spasms my body felt were excruciating and numbing. I was simultaneously floating and falling. My mind was fully aware yet unconscious. This was a single moment. This was a thousand years. Lost in this unknown, there was understanding, replaced by confusion.
“What is it that you desire most, king of games?” the question echoed.
‘What's happening?’ my thoughts spoke aloud.
I had seen and experienced many strange phenomena in my twenty two years of life but nothing like this. I was never alone. He was always there. Either to pull me out or cheer me on. Until I….
Suddenly the world around me lit up and I felt myself shuddering, holding back tears. Realization struck like a bullet. I knew this memory. I had replayed it thousands of times in my head. Why was I being forced to actually relive it?!
“Go on, your move.” Atem gently encouraged me.
“I don’t get it.” Duke said, “All she has to do is attack and the duel is over.”
“That’s just it.” Responded Bakura, “Once the match comes to an end, the pharaoh will be released.”
Atem waited patiently, knowing how hard this was for me. Finally I swallowed and called out, “All right, Silent Magician, attack his life points directly!”
I watched my magician ascend above us and fire his attack. The moment it made contact with Atem I squeezed my eyes shut, unable to witness the choice I just made. When the light faded and the illusions vanished, my knees buckled and I openly sobbed.
“Congratulations! Well, done.” he said proudly as he walked towards me. When I didn’t move he knelt in front of me and placed a hand on my shoulder, “Yugi, a champion doesn’t belong on her knees. You achieved a great victory for us both.”
I found my voice, “I was focusing so hard on playing the game that I forgot what winning this duel would actually mean. By defeating you I’ve sent you away. For good.”
Hearing myself say those words pierced my heart. I continued to live through the memory, unable to alter what was happening. If I could, I’d break free from this bind, run to Atem, and spill the secret my younger self guarded so meticulously. She had wanted to tell him but fearing how he’d react, she held her tongue.
As the fated door that separated me and Atem forever closed, I was finally able to turn and walk towards the darkness. I had no idea what was going on or why, but I needed to move forward and away from such a painful memory. One agonizing step at a time, just like I had done back then.
Although, a year later, Kaiba built a wall onto my path forward. His obsession to duel Atem again and force me to help him accomplish it, buried a knife deep within my soul. He refused to believe that Atem was gone and a piece of myself with him. But the genius billionaire must’ve sensed something that I hadn’t. Atem returned when I needed him most.
My surroundings morphed again and I was reliving another memory. I feel myself collapsing as I had during the duel against Diva. Just before I lost consciousness and hit the ground, a blinding light enveloped me and wiped away all of the darkness Diva caused.
‘Use my power and save the world, Yugi.’ Atem's voice spoke to me as the familiar warmth of his presence consumed me. If the world wasn’t at stake, I would’ve basked in the feeling forever, weeping.
Together me and Atem placed our shared hand on the deck, channeled the power of the pharaoh, and drew the card we needed. With dramatic flair, we played the card and Mahad appeared, ending the duel in a swift and brilliant attack.
As the pharaoh's power restored the world around us, we smiled and grabbed the Millenium Puzzle. Our combined presence separated and we were now facing each other, thoughts still connected.
‘You returned.’ My thoughts spoke, oozing with happiness.
‘I couldn’t let Diva destroy everything and everyone I care about. Especially you.’ The joy he felt about our reunion rivaled my own.
‘Thank you, Atem.’ my thoughts whispered before I glanced at the recently restored but unconscious Kaiba.
Atem’s mood shifted to surprise but was swiftly replaced with understanding. When my gaze returned to him, he was staring at the duel link device on my head.
“The fire flower.” the quiet words unconsciously spilled from his mouth. He blinked then locked eyes with me. ‘It’s time. Please give our friends my regards.’
Panic filled me and I stepped forward, ‘Atem, wait! I-’
‘You will see me again soon, Yugi.’ He cut me off, smile growing softer. Speechless, I nodded. He placed his hands on the Millenium Puzzle and they both disappeared.
The memory faded, leaving me in darkness once again. I swallowed thickly and closed my eyes. Atem reassured me that I would see him again soon but that memory was four years ago. When I opened my eyes again, moments from our time together played in small windows all around me. Each clip held a memory close to me and each memory felt too short.
“What is it that you desire most, king of games?” the question rang out again.
I pondered while looking at each memory window. A year and a half wasn’t enough time. Even if I could relive these memories, it would never be and I would never get to know the part of him that was locked away. Before we connected, Atem had lived a life far different from my own that I only got a brief glimpse of when I entered his memories. How long could we have had if I knew him back then?
For a third time, the question called out, “What is it that you desire most, king of games?”
“Time.” I resolved, “More time to be with him and get to know all of him, without the gaps in his memory.”
“Response received, king of games, silent flower of the east.”
The memory clips around me froze and before I knew it, the memories and the ground beneath me shattered like glass. As I fell, the fragments of memories rained down around me before I was rendered unconscious.