The Alternative

Chapter Twenty Seven

"Don't cry, Lord Mutou."

Yugi wasn't the greatest at following absurd orders. He would always try, just for the sake of making others happy. But trying doesn't guarantee a thing.

The moment Atem fell to the ground, Priest Seto flagged down guards to take him to the Sorcerer's Suite.

Mahad would know what's wrong. He always does.

Yugi followed Priest Seto and the brigade of people whom raced Atem to the Sorcerer's Suite. His vision was blurry...distracted with tears, but he managed to stay on his feet.

"Lay him down!" Mahad ordered the moment they entered with the Pharaoh.

Everyone scurried to the altar, laying him down and peering down at his lifeless body.

"What happened?" Mahad demanded.

"He screamed in pain and collapsed," Priest Seto informed. "We do not know why."

Mahad gazed deeply at Atem's body, attempting to piece together possibilities in his mind. "Find Shimon. Bring him here."

"Shimon?" Priest Seto questioned.

"Do it," Mahad continued. He glared at the guards. "Now!"

They immediately dispersed into the hallway. A heavy tension rested in their presence.

"Why do you need Shimon?" Priest Seto questioned softly.

"If Shimon can confirm my hypothesis, then we have no reason to worry about the Pharaoh."

Priest Seto blinked blankly, remaining silent.

Yugi ran to the altar, grabbing Atem's hand and squeezing it hard. "It'll be okay," Yugi whispered, tears racing down his cheek. "It'll be okay."

Mahad took in a deep breath, dismissing himself temporarily to leave Yugi, Atem, and Seto alone.

"Lord Mutou," Priest Seto mumbled.

Yugi raised his head, turning it to Seto. "Hm?"

"What do you remember?"

This was it. This was the opportunity to talk to Seto about the alternate life. Yugi couldn't let it slide, especially since his memories were fleeting with each passing second.

"Well, that's a pretty broad question," Yugi sniffled. "About our university? About Atem? About—"

"Me," he stated dryly. "What do you remember about me?"

Yugi's eyes widened in surprise. He stared into Seto's charming blue eyes, wishing they would reveal some type of clue regarding what he was hoping to hear.

"Um...well, I remember you didn't like me when we first met. But we bonded over Atem. You called him Yami. Darkness. Everyone did back then. That I could never forget—"

"Yugi," Seto maneuvered his head to the side in slight embarrassment.

That's the first time he's called me by my first name.

"My heart yearns for someone," Seto softly expressed. "I can't remember who they were. But I do know I miss them."

Yugi tilted his head in confusion. He bit his lower lip as he tried to remember who it was. He scratched his forehead, continuing to use all of his power to think. "Oh! Your roommate? Was it Otogi?"