In The Millennial World

2

Where..
What..
What happened...

Did something happened to me..

"Where are you... Kaiba and Mokuba..? Yuza

I can't sense any of them anywhere
I hope... to find them soon as to what I'm hoping
I'm losing my patience and my.. well.. attention
I can't even see if they are there anymore

I said it all to myself
Muttering in my own unconscious sleep self
I was burning up from the hot sun feeling lost
I was by myself in this world
I can't seem to locate them
I can't find them as to where are they...
They aren't even here..
It has to be impossible now that I'm in Ancient Egypt
They can't be here unless.... they are here
And something went on... wrong..

"Yuza... Yuza!" Atem

A voice, thin and wavering, pierced the heavy silence of the desert.
It was a sound of raw emotion
A choked sob that seemed to vibrate through the very sand itself.
A sound of desperate with aching grief.

At first, it was a distant whisper
A fragile thread of sound carried on the hot swirling wind.

As... the darkness began to recede
As the edges of consciousness flickered back into focus
The voice grew louder and more insistent.
It echoed through the suffocating heat
A mournful lament that seemed to resonate within my very bones.
It was a sound that spoke of loss, of fear, of a profound and unbearable sorrow.
It was a sound that tugged at something deep within me
A primal instinct to comfort, to protect.
It was a sound that, despite the disorientation and the lingering haze of unconsciousness, began to cut through the oppressive silence
It was demanding with attention as it was growing louder and louder.

That voice... it can't be of who could that be?
It sounded so familiar, yet so strange, like I'd heard it before. 

Could it be?
No... way.. it couldn't be him. 

I shake my head trying to ignore it
Trying to not to rethink my thoughts. 
But no matter how hard I try
The voice echoes louder, pulling at memories I can barely grasp. 

Who's calling me? 
Why does he sound so familiar? 

The male voice grows louder, breaking through my haze,
I can't shake the feeling I've heard it somewhere before.

"Yuza!" Atem

He called again.
There it is, that voice—shouting, calling my name. 
It's so familiar, like it came out of nowhere. 
His face and spiky hair
The same person who I remembered..
My heart races as I open my eyes, curious and uncertain. 
The shock floods my body when I finally see who's standing before me.

Is this real... or just a dream?

"Yuza... are you alright? Say something!" Atem

He urged.

"Atem... is it really you?" Yuza

I whispered, my voice barely audible.

It's him. 
He's here. 
I can't believe it.. it's really him.

"Yugi... or I mean... Atem," Yuza

I corrected myself.

"Yuza, you've finally come. I'm so glad to see you again," Atem

He said... relief washing over his face.

"It's really you..." Yuza

I murmured, disbelief and joy mixing in my words.
He held me in his arms like I was a fragile, dying person. 
But I wasn't dying—
I was just dehydrated and overheated from the relentless sun. 
I smiled weakly, giving him a reassuring look, even as my body struggled to regain strength. 
I stood slowly, my legs trembling beneath me, my head pounding from the heat and exhaustion.

"Yes... it's been a long time, hasn't it?" Atem

He said softly.

"A year, I think... since I last saw you, since you left," Yuza

I replied.

"All good things must come to an end, isn't that what they always say?" Atem

He offered with a wry smile.
I glared up at him, trying to suppress a laugh. 

"Are you joking about the world ending again?" Yuza

"Maybe... too much?" Atem

He asked, a light teasing in his voice.

"Well, maybe just a little... but I'll let it pass for now. There are other things," Yuza

I said.

"Other things?" Atem

He questioned.

"I came back to this world... but somehow, I've traveled back in time," Yuza

I explained, still unsure of how it all happened.

"You traveled back in time? How? What happened?" Atem

His voice was filled with concern.

"There's so much I'd like to explain, but right now, there's a lot on the line. I'm just grateful I get to see you again... to meet you again, Pharaoh..." Yuza

"It was greatful.. Yuza.. please don't be so considerate yourself.." Atem

"I wasn't going too, but we need to talk," Yuza

I said firmly.

"Talk? Did something go wrong?" Atem

He asked, his tone shifting to one of quiet authority.

"Right away," Yuza

I nodded.
Atem gestured toward his palace in the distance, his voice calm and steady. 

"If you're ready to speak, we need to head to my palace. It's the safest place to discuss everything in detail. I have guardians eager to help—some may even want to join us in this task." Atem

I nodded again, determination filling me. 

"I'm ready for it.... Whatever it takes." Yuza

"Good. Come, Yuza. We'll talk at the palace, and while you're there, we can show you around.
It holds many secrets," Atem

He said, a knowing smile on his face.
My somber expression lightened a bit at the thought of exploring the palace. 
The design was grand, almost overwhelming like walking into another world, far removed from the one I knew. 
It felt like being trapped inside a box turned upside down, but I couldn't help but be intrigued.

"Show me around? That sounds like a good idea," Yuza

I said, glancing at the towering structure.

"It is.. you'll love my palace" Atem

"I'm amazed," Yuza

I added, marveling at its size.
Atem chuckled softly