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

Chapter 18

The palace in Memphis was enormous; Téa was seeing history in person. Only a few millennia later and the whole city would turn into barely distinguishable ruins for the archaeologists' misfortune. The closer Téa came to it, the bigger it was. The real problem was though, how would Téa enter it. From all her knowledge, places with nobles were highly guarded. Last time when they had to enter Atem's palace, the gang and Téa had the help of Bobasa, besides, they were rather ghost-like having the advantage of people not seeing them. This time, however, Téa was very much real and she would be spotted from a mile before Téa could think of entering the palace. Téa had to think of a way in or at least wait for the perfect opportunity. Just before approaching the outside walls, Téa took a turn right hiding behind a building. Téa had no way of knowing Teana would be here, it might be decades before or after she was born. Deciding the best thing to do would be waiting until Téa got a look at who lived there.

It was approaching lunchtime and Téa realised she hadn't had anything all morning. Téa was hungry but with no money and no way of getting food nor shelter for that matter. If the necklace was broken, Téa was struck in time, precisely in Ancient Persia of all places. Just then Téa noticed a commotion at the entrance. The huge doorway opened letting a retinue of servants and guards out. Somewhere in the middle was the person they were attending to. Téa came out of her hiding place watching closely in order to see the nobleman. On a white mare was a beautiful young woman and Téa did not need to see her closely to know who she was. The woman was a reflection of her own. The princess smiled at her subjects looking around. Waiting and waiting until their identical sapphire eyes met. The shock on the princess' face was visible but only for a second. Teana was raised to show no emotions and appear calm and she used all her knowledge well. Even if Teana didn't know who the stranger was, Teana had an idea who she might be. Teana nodded if only slightly visible but Téa saw it, so she nodded back. It was a promise Teana would be back later alone. In a blink, Téa was gone.

The day grew shorter and sunset came. Téa was cold and starving but there was no trace of Teana. Téa was getting more anxious by the minute. All of a sudden, a voice spoke behind her in the full darkness.

"Come with me," Téa turned immediately and it took her a few moments to recognise the princess in the dim light under the veil.

Téa followed her without uttering a word. The princess had come via a secret passageway, so Téa moved closely behind as to not get lost. Finally, when they reached the gardens it was completely dark – the night had fallen. Teana led them to a secret pavilion in the hard of the gardens. Once they stopped, the princess turned around facing her counterpart.

"You're from the future," Teana stated first.

"Yes, and I have a problem," Téa showed Teana her necklace and the princess paled.

"Oh no, what happened?" Teana asked worriedly and Téa told her everything.

Téa told her about the Spell Thieves in her time, all her problems, about Atem's return and lastly the duel that led to Téa's condition. At the mentioning of Atem's name, Teana's eyes widened if only a bit.

"The necklace is broken; the balance is disturbed." Teana was concerned about this. It was a very delicate spell, one even Teana might not be able to perform.

"Will I be able to go back in my time?" Téa asked in a panic.

"Téa, I'm not going to lie to you. This is a complicated spell and I can't completely guarantee it will work. They stole a part of your magic," Teana's eyes showed for the first time how worried she really was.

"If you can't fix it then..." Téa hesitated with her question. Téa tried so hard to be reunited with Atem only for them to be separated once again.