A Whisper of Time || Yu-Gi-Oh Book 1 ||

Chapter 13

When Téa returned back to the present, there was no trace of the Spell Thieves thankfully. Téa went straight home, half looking over her shoulder all the way from her location to her house. Once Téa got inside, Téa locked the door and let out a deep sigh. Téa was worried about her parents seeing her like this, they would definitely freak out but on further inspection, the house was in total silence.

"Mom? Dad? Are you home?" Téa asked with no reply whatsoever.

The only sound came from the phone receiver, there was a message left and Téa pushed the button to play it on.

"Hey honey," her mother began. "We had to hurry to the airport, an important business meeting came up and we had to leave without notice. I'm so sorry Téa baby. You weren't home when we received the notification. Dad and I will keep in touch and we'll come to see you again as soon as we can. We love you, bye!" Téa turned the voicemail off.

It was nothing unusual with her family. Téa had been like this for years, but it still hurt to be so lonely. Maybe that was why Téa was so attached to Atem; Téa was practically alone most of the time and losing him was all the more devastating. At least, Téa did not worry about them finding out about the mess Téa was currently in. With a last look towards the phone, Téa went to the bathroom for a shower and an inspection of the damage.

Her clothes were torn at places and were definitely dirty; her top had even some bloodstain. Nope, all of this was going in the bin. Téa took off her clothes and grabbed a towel from her room before going into the bathroom. Téa stopped to inspect herself in front of the mirror – she had some minor injuries here and there that were going to heal but her ribs were slightly bruised from being thrown at a wall. Frowning at her reflection, Téa turned on the water and rushed inside the cabin a few seconds later. The hot water did miracles for her sore body along with lashing all traces of the previous encounters. A sullen expression made its way to her face – it was washing all of Atem too. Her tears melted in the way but the ones in her heart stayed as always. Closing her eyes, Téa imagined the kisses with Atem and being in his arms again. Hugging herself, Téa leaned at the wall sobbing.

*

Atem went to find Isis in her temple. Atem wasn't sure if Isis could do anything, but he had an idea. Atem just had to do it. The High Priestess was in her usual sanctuary, that was her own afterlife as it seemed. Even without the powers of the Necklace, Isis still knew more than what appeared on the surface.

"My Pharaoh," Isis greeted him without even looking, as Atem was saying, Isis had some other abilities.

"Isis, I need to go back to the present and help Téa. I have to make things right by helping her." Isis turned all of a sudden with a knowing expression on her face.

"I was feeling you might want to do that. Since the moment you returned, you aren't happy but once Lady Téa came, she changed it all." Her eyes softened at the young man. "I know that's your heart's desire." His pupils dilated slightly but Atem managed to hide his surprise.

"Yes, I know my soul is supposed to be here at its resting place after five thousand years but... Deep down I knew what I've always wanted was to be with her." The confession almost struck him in the chest. Atem had never expressed this loudly but here he was, finally confessing it all.

"I know, and I wish I could help you but it's beyond my powers." His brows furrowed slightly.

"Yes, that's why I intend to ask for a favour." Atem had made up his mind and he was going to do this no matter the price. Atem was going to do it for Téa.

"Be careful, my pharaoh. You know the gods never give anything without taking something in return, that's the course of nature." Isis sounded concerned.