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A Yu-Gi-Oh Fan-fiction
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Author's Note (December 2015): Hello once again everyone! How are you? Are you doing well? I sure hope that you are! Well, here I am again! It's been a while, hasn't it? I apologize for that... In the past several months, there certainly have been quite a few changes that have taken place. Mostly recently I managed to secure a new job; which due to the high demands of the work, has taken up a great deal of my time! I'm still learning the various processes of this new position however, and I hope that in time I'll be able to use my time more productively, for both work and the things that I love! Wish me luck everyone! Thank you so much!
In terms of the story itself, I'm finding that as I write this commentary, I'm not quite sure what to discuss this time around... Though I'm certain that as I continue on, it'll prove to be just as lengthy as the previous ones! In general, however, I hope that you're all still enjoying my tale as I really have tried to give it my best, despite the lack of updates in recent months. As always, I would greatly appreciate any and all feedback, whether it's commenting on the story as a whole, or even in the form of constructive criticism! I often find it encouraging and quite insightful, in fact! And at times, as my best friend can tell you, it can even help in making the story much stronger; forcing me to think outside of the box! As I mentioned before, I still struggle with confidence, as well maintaining my focus and drive, so I want you all to know that such remarks really do serve to strengthen my resolve! I also find it a great deal of fun discussing such details, not *only* about my own work, but in relation to the true events of the Yu-Gi-Oh anime and manga, as I occasionally discuss with a few good friends of mine!

Speaking of which, I did want to take the time to thank a few especially close friends; ones who have been wonderful enough to support me through this process! Please believe me when I say that I am grateful to *ALL* who read my work, and are kind enough to leave both comments and critiques! But I wouldn't have gotten even *this* far if not for , first and foremost! Being my best friend and honorary sister for more than 20 years, she's been with me every step of the way, since this story's inception, back in 2003! She's also been my unofficial editor, in fact, reading multiple drafts of each chapter, asking me a number of questions as I continued on, and even being brave enough to tell me when something truly wasn't working; whether it was the events themselves, the dialogue, or anything else!

Though I can admittedly be a little sensitive in terms of criticism, I have learned to at least try to be open minded, as it can greatly benefit me and the direction that I travel when writing! Interestingly enough, a *number* of the events that I have written in previous chapters wouldn't have occurred in the same way at all, if not for her feedback! Also, not being a fan of the of the Yu-Gi-Oh franchise herself, it is certainly a great compliment that she still enjoys my own individual work, despite that! She often tells me that she is more invested in the story that I wish to tell, with those established characters and events; in addition to the ones that I created entirely on my own! Thank you SO much :iconDanni Stone:! For absolutely everything! I really couldn't have done it without you!

I also want to thank my good friend who has also supported and encouraged me for several years now! She's encouraged not *only* this story, but also quite a few of my works of art on the Deviantart,! In addition, she even read the original draft of this fan fiction quite some time ago, supporting it even when the story wasn't nearly as developed as it is now! And being a fan of Yu-Gi-Oh herself, she has given me another perspective, being quite knowledgeable of the true canon events, which has been especially encouraging and insightful as I write!

Similarly, I wanted to thank the wonderful, ! Sam is most certainly a kind and generous person, who has also been extremely supportive during the time I have been active on Deviantart! She always has such detailed and interesting things to say about nearly EVERY deviation that I've posted! And most recently she has also been reading and commenting on this story! Being a *very* dedicated and passionate fan too, she has been giving me quite a bit of helpful feedback ! She is even responsible for enlightening me on a potential plot line involving canon characters that I had never considered before! And here I thought I'd heard it all! Whether or not I follow through with this idea remains to be seen, but I can most certainly say I've been enjoying our deep discussions, and learning from her what it means to be a true writer! If you haven't already, check out her own written works, as well as her Deviantart pagel! I can tell you now, that you won't regret it!

And finally I wanted to thank on Deviantart, who has also been rooting me on, as I move forward with my work; in terms of both written and visual! She was even kind enough to write stories herself, based on mine, which has of course been extremely flattering! Thank you too, dear! And though I could thank MANY others for all of the wonderful things they've said and done for me, let me just say that I thank each and every one of you for absolutely everything! I KNOW that you know who you are! And in all seriousness, it means more than I can possibly say!

In terms of the previous chapter, I suppose the majority of it was, rather self explanatory.... I found it a unique challenge to delve a little deeper into the mind of a slightly younger Yami aka Atem, as I attempted to analysis some of the underlying layers of his psyche, and what he may have had to contend with in his own lifetime. In the true anime and manga, I had always wanted to know what the REAL character had been like, in the Ancient Egyptian era, given that the character was without his memory for nearly the entire series! Sadly, this was never addressed before it concluded either! I only hope that in my own attempts, I am doing the character justice, given what little we were told about such details...

For instance, as he discussed with Teana, I do think that Yami did indeed enjoy “performing” in a sense, which seemed evident to me with how dramatic he was in his duels, (though of course he wasn't the ONLY one!). This was further emphasized by how many of his techniques involved not only the Dark/Black Magician, but also a variety of magic tricks, that maybe even a real stage performer would have loved to use in order to captivate his audience! Perhaps much of the previous chapter was my own interpretation behind these actions, but I thought it was something, trying to determine the WHY of it!

It was also interesting imagining how Yami may have used his magic in the past; specifically in an instance when he was NOT exacting punishment against a sinner, as he did in the early manga, or presumably when participating in a Millennium Trial. Though it was never made clear, I liked to believe that he did indeed have natural abilities on top of what was amplified with the use of the Millennium Puzzle. He seemed FAR too adept in his capabilities to rely solely on the magic of the item itself, especially since he was said to be the “chosen” Pharaoh; prophesied to wield the 3 gods, Osiris/Slifer, Obelisk, and Ra. But then, I suppose that's also my own interpretation of what I witnessed within the anime and manga....

In the spirit of adding Easter Eggs, I made a slight reference to the outfit that Yami aka Pharaoh Atem or Atemu wore when he and Seto had that vision of the ancient past; when dueling on top of the Duel Tower in the Batty City Semi-Finals. And likewise, I even alluded to the original design of Yami's Pharaoh outfit in the first few pages of the manga's Millennium World arc, which did indeed include designs on his light blue loin cloth, originally. These designs were seemingly removed in the actual story, however, perhaps for the sake of simplicity's; or because the creator wanted to use this patterning on Pharaoh Akunamukanon's attire instead. Despite having my own visions for where I want this story to go, I really do try to make note of actual events and related details, whenever possible at least; to orient my tale within the world of canon , in some way....

I guess I'll leave it at that for now, everyone! It would seem that I have once again reached double digits with this fan fiction, which I would like to believe is an accomplishment in itself! I originally ended my first attempt at telling this tale at chapter 11, many many years ago! However, I have yet to connect these new events to my old work, which I still fully intend to do! As near as I can discern, I began rewriting this story completely in the middle of my previous chapter 4. And since then, I have moved in an entirely different direction with this revised version! In time, I will indeed tie these plot elements with my previous draft of chapter 5 and onward, (albeit with a considerable amount of revising!). So, be on the look out for those works too, everyone, as again, I'll most certainly try to give it my all! Once more, I truly thank you for your support! And I'll do my best not to take AS long to write my next installment. Now then! On with the story!

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Chapter 10

                  “Teana... How..?” Yami breathed, still feeling the shock of what he had witnessed coursing through him.

  Unable to utter more than those two simple words in his paralyzed state, the young prince was limited to his continuous and inelegant staring; the feeling of intensifying and even maddening disbelief, when gazing at the rattled young woman before him! Due to perhaps, her own momentary incapacitation, Teana had remained seated upon the ground, ever silent; leaving Yami with the difficult task of solely contending with his fluctuating thoughts and feelings!
Replaying those strange, inconceivable occurrences over and over again in his mind, Yami strove to find some sort of logic to them; to comprehend any form of truth that would shed light on the mystery, that now haunted them both... But much like the inner struggle, which had been the source of his distress before he had arrived in the village that afternoon, Yami knew all too well that it was utterly futile to even attempt to solve a puzzle of this magnitude; at least without all of its missing pieces...

                  “It was you, wasn't it....?” Yami began, with a mixture of eagerness and a pulsing agitation. “Somehow, you were able to use your own will to allow us to escape from the illusion; from the darkened realm even! That has to be it! That is the only conclusion that I find probable!”

  As Yami's burning desire to receive answers strengthened further still, he watched as Teana both slowly and laboriously lifted herself from the ground; her unsteady hand clutching the end of the table with her eyes cast downward.

               “I should have known... There is something different about you!”

                 “Different...” Teana whispered, that one word rousing her, at last. “That's not- No, you're wrong! I'm just like everyone el-”

             “Our past experiences have led me to believe otherwise, Teana! Without a doubt, you possess a unique quality of some sort; one that I find to be...quite unusual... Perhaps... Perhaps that was even the reason why I was drawn to you!”

                  “The reason that you were drawn to-” Teana echoed, her tone uneven.

                  “Could it be possible that...you are like me? Or the individuals chosen to be part of the royal court, rather? And if that is indeed the case, do you also possess magical abilities?!” Yami questioned her, as he began to step forward.

                   “Magical abilities... I... No! I don't know what you're talking about!” Teana argued, still unable to meet his gaze.

                  “What reason do you have to deny it, Teana?! I was there with you! From the very moment it began, to its nightmarish end! And I am quite certain of what I saw, and heard! The vision I conjured! The vision that stemmed from the depths of your mind! It changed drastically into one of enshrouding darkness! Rather, you unveiled the dark dimension in which only a select few know to exist; myself included! It was as if...the knowledge was buried deep within your subconscious, hidden beneath the landscape that I initially manifested... And in time, it managed to rise to the surface; eclipsing all else... It's true, isn't it?! From what little I am able to comprehend, it would appear that you are quite familiar with this realm; with these powers even! Why is that? You must know something pertaining to this! Anything! The smallest or even the most insignificant detail could hold the key! The key to more than either of us realizes! What is the extent of your capabilities? How long have you been aware of them? And...just what was it that you feared most within that darkness? Who or what were you referring to, that could invoke such a frightful response! Please... You must tell me!”

  With gradual, retreating movements, Teana was soon hindered by the edge of the table; jabbing painfully into her lower back. With no where to turn, her arms extended backwards; as she pressed both hands firmly against its wooden surface.

                  “I... It's not what you-” Teana stammered. “I really don't know! I don't know anything! Believe me!”

                   “That's enough, Teana! You can't run from this any longer! Be honest with me! With yourself, even! I want the truth! Please! I need to know the truth!” Yami demanded, seizing hold of both of her shoulders.

   The suddenness of his grasp prompting her to exclaim in surprise, Yami soon realized that in doing so, he had forced Teana to recoil even further! Her back arching away from him, she had instinctively braced herself, with a slight, yet audible whimper! While one hand still supported her weight at that unnatural angle, she had placed the other tightly upon her chest; her eyes squinting in a fearful, defensive manner!

                  “Teana... I'm sorry... I never meant to-” Yami gasped; stunned by his own aggressive behavior.

  Her small frame beginning to tremble at his touch, Yami quickly removed himself; stepping aside to allow her room to regain her bearings.

                   “I apologize... Truly.” Yami said again, as he bowed his head, remorsefully. “Please, forgive me for what I- However...to my deep regret, I can not withdraw my line of questioning, Teana... In spite of everything, I still ask that you answer my-”

  In stark contrast to his claim, much less his unbending resolve, Yami felt torn; guilt-ridden, as he began to waver... In truth, he wished that he could concede, having absolutely no desire to interrogate Teana so coldly, so relentlessly; as if she were a criminal on trial... But what overshadowed even those feelings, was the acute nature of his desperation; his permeating need for resolution! Despite his efforts to reign in his admittedly disgraceful display, to compose himself fully, with what were now noticeably shallow breaths, Yami found it increasingly difficult to focus; to halt the spiraling descent of...whatever it was that clouded his judgment... Yet through it all, the young prince had a vague sense that there was some underlying secret that Teana could impart; some crucial piece of information, which would free him from his burdens, at long last!

   However, though his scattered thoughts alternated between his persistent urge to act on impulse, and what would normally result in sound deduction on his part, the only sliver of clarity that he could now discern, was that if Teana had dared to counter him, inquiring why Yami was so sure of himself, he would have been forced to declare that he was basing his suspicions on intuition alone... In the end, he had nothing to corroborate his assertion; his professed certainty that anything she ultimately divulged, would somehow relate to what he was seeking... And from this perspective, seeing the grim harshness of this reality, only made his actions even more contemptible; regardless of his mind state...

                  *Has it...come to this...? To have reason to doubt my own instincts? To behave like-! Like the monster I fear I'm becoming... This time, it took so little... So little, to nearly make me lose...control...* Yami reflected, as he gazed sorrowfully at the unresponsive young woman. *To make matters worse, I may have risked alienating her, even hurting her, for nothing more than a- No... I have yet to receive an explanation for what she- I don't know how or why, but this extends far beyond logic; beyond anything that I've ever- No matter the cost, I need to see this through... I must do this, before I- * He hesitated, as he shook his head, dismissively.

                  *More importantly... I must consider the safety of others... And above all, I will do whatever necessary to protect those I care for...even if I am the one they need protection from... But how? How can I appeal to her? I've already- What more can I possibly-!*

  Finding himself completely at a loss, as he felt the full extent of his frustration, shame, and even fear, weighing down on him, without mercy, Yami soon felt his body sinking to the ground; falling to one knee, as he both purposefully and wearily humbled himself before Teana. And though he could have sworn that he had heard an astonished intake of air as a result of his actions, the young prince continued to look downward; as he too breathed inwardly, before strenuously exhaling again.

                  “Please. Please, Teana... You must try to understand, understand the importance, the urgency of what could-” Yami paused, allowing his mind to wander, as he solemnly closed his eyes.

                   “To find what I am searching for... To know the truth of why I- When...? When did it start? A week ago? A month? Or has it been building quietly, gradually, over the span of several years...? And just how much time have I lost, thinking, dwelling on these utterly infuriating-! For every waking hour, of every day, I've scrutinized the possibilities; the number of questions that remain unanswered... Even a short time ago, I could think of nothing else, when I asked- When I demanded those answers from you...resulting in that same familiar sensation, coursing through me, compelling me to give in... And then, before I had even realized, it was already too late... I had viciously grabbed hold of-!” Yami stopped abruptly, as he clenched his fists in anguish.

                  “I...lost sight of you again, Teana...disregarding your feelings; in a way that was far worse than what occurred in mid-day... I wanted you to tell me everything, but what right do I have? When I have yet to be honest with you myself? In the time we've spent together, I neglected to tell you my true purpose for coming here this afternoon; though I can now say that it is only one of many...”

  As a wave of uncharacteristic and even sickening nervousness had begun to wash over him, followed by a strange sense of dread, Yami could feel himself swallowing; struggling to regain some semblance of composure, at the very least! Cursing inwardly, he was shocked to see that his hands were now shaking, which only served to amplify his level of apprehension! And as he continued to falter, to reel from it even, he was then seized with a sudden and overwhelming need to ground himself! His right arm shooting out involuntarily, he attempted to grab hold of something! To grab hold of Teana! But before Yami could allow himself to do so, to potentially frighten the young women a second time, he was somehow able to hinder his irrationality, as his left hand clamped tightly upon his own wrist!

                  *Why would I-?! Of all the thoughtless, fool-hardy-!* He thought with bewilderment, mortification, and even horror!

  With his barely restrained arm hovering mere inches away from her, Yami began to question not only his reasons for his repeated, frantic response, but disturbingly, what would have resulted if he hadn't stopped himself... Had it simply been some strange desire to root himself in reality, as he vaguely acknowledged? Or would he have unintentionally harmed Teana, even more severely, like he had done to Mahado...?

                  *What is wrong with me...?! To do such things! Twice now! I am only making the situation- Worse...?* He concluded, stifling a humorless laugh. *As if it were even possible for things to worsen at this stage... Ridiculous...*

  Though Yami had been skeptical from the beginning, that he could somehow plead his case in a manner that was either coherent or comprehensible, disheartened, he soon came to the conclusion that he had lost his opportunity to do so, entirely... Teana would never help him now, much less allow him to- And with that notion, he felt his sense of hopelessness settling, his emotions darkening, as that same surge of energy beckoned to him yet again; this time, with an almost soothing promise of release...

                  *How very unlike me... To even consider submitting to- And yet... After everything that's happened... I would not blame her, if she simply chose to-*

  To his genuine surprise, it was then that Yami felt the unexpected touch of Teana's own outstretched hand, slowly and cautiously clasping the one that he extended; which he had begun to lower in defeat. It was such a small and simple gesture, yet undoubtedly one filled with compassion... However, perhaps even more so, in the midst of such chaos, to Yami it could only be seen as an act of mercy, one that pacified him, staving off the enclosing madness; at least for the present moment...

                  “Teana...” Yami breathed affectionately, with a feeling of undeserving gratitude.

  Raising his head upward to face her, Yami could at last see that in spite of herself, Teana's own distress, as well as her visible agitation, had remained constant... It could be seen not only by the rivaling of her equally or even exceedingly quivering hand, but also the tremors that clearly affected her from head to toe... And yet, within her expression, Yami could distinguish something more: the presence of a focused, rather purposeful determination! The stability of such resolve was fragile, on the brink of faltering at any given time, but it was still a conscious, spirited effort; one that Teana struggled to uphold nonetheless.

                  “That last time you came to see me... I... I did that too... Remember?“ Teana said, barely above a whisper. “I reached out to you, so that I could tell you how I- I was desperate then... And I was so sure... So sure that you'd never- But you heard me out... You stayed with me... And since then- No... Even before then, you've done so much... More than I ever would've thought possible... If... If I can do the same for you, even in some small way, then I- It's like you said... Both now, and in my dre- That I should at least try... I want to try to understand. Everything... And somehow, I feel that I need to. Not just for you, but for my own sake...”

                  “Thank you, Teana... Thank you for giving me this chance to-” Yami sighed heavily, finding comfort, strength, and solace in not only her willingness to listen, but in that still trembling hand that she had offered him.

                  “I'm scared...” Teana had voiced, suddenly.

  Meeting her gaze once again, Yami watched as she herself seemed shocked by this admission, as she brought her other hand to her mouth in disbelief.

                  “I'm sorry...” Teana continued, as that arm fell limp at her side. “But that's how I feel. I wish that I didn't feel that way... More than anything in the world... And I know that you said that I shouldn't be afraid...”

                  “What..? I said that you shouldn't-?”

                  “But I can't... I can't help it. No matter what I feel for you, no matter how grateful I am, I can't just pretend that I'm-”

                  “No, it's all right... I assure you, it is... I wanted you to be honest, regardless of the truth that I would learn... And given all you've seen, what you've had to endure, maybe even before today...it's only natural that you would feel fear... I understand, Teana. Perhaps more than you realize... And I know, because I feel the same as you...”

  Using the hand that he held to urge Teana forward, though only to a level that she herself deemed appropriate, in the back of his mind, Yami feared that even the slightest misstep would shatter her remaining trust, forcing her to pull away entirely; much like he had initially presumed. Yet, with guarded optimism, inspired by the faith that she had managed to place in him, despite herself, he very gently entwined his fingers within hers, as he laid his opposite hand above them both. And as the young prince felt himself calming further still, he silently hoped to convey all that he could; so that Teana would understand him as well...

                  “What I feel...is that this, all of this, is connected somehow; in a way that even I can not fathom... But as for my purpose- No, my purposes for coming here today...” Yami paused, as his expression softened. “You must know, that the one that I considered, more than any other, is that I wanted to see you, Teana...” He then said, with a slight squeeze of her hand.

                  “And, if you can allow yourself, I ask that you please accept the sincerity of these words...for merely anticipating your company, the very thought of being with you again, is what managed to sustain me in the days that passed; particularly in my...darkest hours... However, as odd as it may sound, I can't be certain if it was a conscious choice for me to arrive this afternoon; as I somehow felt...that I was compelled to come here...” Yami disclosed.

                  “I'm also aware that I was quite adamant about this, a short time ago... And before you misunderstand my meaning, either then or now, believe me when I say that it changes nothing regarding my desire to be close to you... If things were simpler, and I truly wish they were, I still would've wanted to come; for no other reason than to learn more about you, and to have you know me...” He elaborated further.

                   “But with that said, it would seem that there is another possibility, another purpose behind our unlikely meeting... What that purpose is, however... I- I can't fully explain...either to you, or to myself... And no matter what I tell you, in the end, perhaps there truly isn't way to convince you of what is happening, to make you believe that I-”

                  “No, I do believe you.” Teana assured, as she struggled to remain firm. “I know that something isn't right...that something's happening, to both of us... I... I want you to tell me. Please, tell me more...”

                  “Very well... I can tell you...that I've begun to question it... My fate, my destiny... Everything... But then, I suppose I've always been divided on such things...haven't I...?” Yami considered, with another shift in tone.

                  “To a degree, my experiences with magic have been an influence; my exposure to relics with the power of premonition, or others that are said to reveal the very nature of one's spiritual essence. And though I would openly acknowledge the contours of a predetermined path, I was also of the opinion that this course could be altered in some way; by the choices one makes. Until only recently, I had absolutely no reason to doubt this, Teana... As contradictory as it seemed, I had faith in the gods, as well as the strength of my own will. And with this conviction, I continued on; moving confidently towards the future... I had hope that I could change things for the better; that there was more for me to accomplish than I could ever comprehend... But then...”

  Swallowing uncomfortably once more, Yami realized that even with his great powers of deduction, there was still no way of knowing how Teana would ultimately react to his confession, particularly one that was so obscure and ominous. Even in spite of the empathy that Teana had shown him, or the hand that he still held, Yami hesitated...

  Vaguely acknowledging that it was both untimely and inappropriate, a small part of him felt the anticipation that he would when gambling; betting everything on a strategic maneuver, or the sheer luck of the draw. But unlike any mere game or competition, the stakes seemed higher than they'd ever been... It was as if he were at a crossroads of some sort, this time, with his very life on the line... And though one could debate that its importance was trivial, in comparison to the former, Yami also knew that Teana's perception of him could be forever altered; a thought that filled him with a grave sense of foreboding...

                  “But then something changed...” Yami began again. “A change that threatens every one of those beliefs; as it casts a dark and menacing shadow upon the bright future I'd envisioned. Though, when I consider the reason behind this change... I... I'm unable to distinguish its' origin... Could it be due to some external force perhaps? One that seeks to control and dictate what's to become of me? Or worse yet, is it something occurring within me instead? I've come to ask myself, more and more often, if my own nature, the reflection of my very soul, my Ka, is being corrupted... And if that is the case, why? I can't be certain, but what I do know...is that something is very wrong, Teana... You sensed it too, didn't you...? The unnatural shift in my demeanor, from the very moment we returned to this world... I can only describe it as a surge of engulfing negativity, affecting my every word, my thoughts, my actions! And when it does manifest, it can occur without the slightest warning! And that, that is what fills me with terror...”

                  “Yami...” Teana quietly acknowledged.

                  “I am sorry Teana...for all that I've done...” Yami whispered, as he again lowered his gaze. “How this must sound...! Perhaps you think that I am simply making excuses for myself, that this is some intricate, fictitious scenario; not unlike the ones that we discussed earlier this evening. If... If only it were some fantastical tale; one concocted to frighten children in the dark... But like you, I must also come to terms with it; that I am afraid... And that I have been, for quite some time now... As that fear grows, along side any other negative emotion, it becomes increasingly difficult to tell right from wrong... Or rather, what I know to be wrong can somehow feel right; even justified, in the heat of the moment... I become a stranger to myself... And this other me is one to be feared indeed; for what he has forced upon me, and how it affects those who surround me... I... I've hurt people, Teana... Either in the physical, mental, or spiritual sense... And I would only come to this realization, when the damage had already been done... Lengths of time would pass... Sudden lapses that I'm unable to account for, ranging from mere minutes, to an hour, maybe more... I'm then left with no knowledge of what transpired, or at best, what lingered would be fragmented, vague; comparable to waking from some terrible nightmare... But I would soon learn that it was all very real, that the power I wield had inadvertently been used as a weapon; injuring both the guilty and the innocent... That it was done with my power, my two hands...!” Yami trailed, shutting his eyes momentarily. “I must put an end to it! Now! I simply can't allow it to continue any longer! And for that, Teana, I need you...”

                  “Me...?” Teana whispered, more as statement rather than a question.

                  “Even in asking this, I know how incredibly unfair this is to you, how confusing it must be... In saying this, I may have only succeeded in strengthening your fear...of me... But understand that in the days that passed, I searched tirelessly, endlessly for answers! Yet to no avail... Despite my determination, I found absolutely nothing to aide me; nothing that could even refute what one would consider a clear descent into madness! This very morning, I can recall telling my mentor how in only a short time, I exhausted countless methods; every source of knowledge imaginable! It was because of this that I left the palace today, with a guarded, fragile hope; a hope that I would somehow find what I was seeking elsewhere... And that faith that I had, that silent prayer, led me here, Teana....” Yami remarked.

                  “I never intended to lie to you, to betray your trust... But I also realize that I've broken my word; the promise that I made to you, that I would not press you for anything that you were unwilling to disclose to me on your own accord... I... I can only beg your forgiveness, for that as well... Know that I am truly truly sorry; for under any other circumstances, I would say that my word is my bond... But, if there is something, anything that relates to what I have told you at all, I humbly ask that you tell me now... Please, please... I believe, or rather, I have the distinct sense....that only you can help me...” Yami concluded at long last.

                  “It...happened again... Those words you just- They... They were almost exactly like the ones in my-” Teana gasped in alarm.

  Though he was unable to grasp the meaning of those short, clipped phrases, the young prince found that he had involuntarily braced himself when she spoke; as he finally raised his head upward to face her... It was then that Yami witnessed that Teana was now weeping, that she perhaps had been, for the latter part of his account; as seen by the continuous flow of tears, streaming silently down her cheeks! This was accompanied by a very prominent expression as well; one that was equally sympathetic, stricken, and horrified, all at once!

                   “Why...? Why is any of this happening again...?” Teana breathed, more so to herself, than to him.

                  “Again...? Teana, I don't understa-”

                  “Is it...really because of me...? Am I the cause of-”

                  “You?!” Yami exclaimed, utterly stunned by her assumption. “No, of course not! Why would you even think such a-?”

                  “What Neema said before... About how I- Or how my father- Maybe... Maybe it is me that he- He's come back to finish what he- No, I'm sorry! I can't help you Yami!” Teana cried, as she withdrew her hand at last.

                  “Teana, please! I'm begging you! You must-”

                  “NO! This is crazy! It can't be real! It just can't!” Teana cried, burying her face in her hands.

  Gasping heavily in the midst of her sobbing, as she feebly attempted to compose herself, with one final choking breath, Teana removed those two hands; to gaze down at Yami once more. Revealing a strange, almost distant expression, she then slowly and weakly lowered her arms; as they again fell limp at her sides.

                  “But...” Teana whispered, in a small, despairing voice. “Even if I don't understand everything that's going on... If the same thing were to happen, like what happened to my- To think that I could lose you, in the same way... No, I can't... I can't go through that again! I couldn't bear to see- You... You need to get away from me! You have to! Stay far away!” Teana declared, with a mixture of both sorrow and desperation.

  Feeling himself react to such a staggering notion, Yami could only stare at her, with an unbelieving, forlorn expression; an expression that Teana soon reciprocated, despite herself, with one that was becoming increasingly more distraught!

                  “Whatever's happening,” Teana continued, with a crumbling resolve, “being around me only seems to make things-”

                  “I... I've managed upset you... I can see that... And it is, of course, understandable...” Yami attempted to rationalize, with an apprehension that was audible to his own ears.

                “Much like everything that's occurred this evening, I take full responsibility... I do... If... If you will allow me, perhaps I can escort you to your home... With a proper night's rest, and some more thought, you may find that you've reconsidered your-”

                  “Please! Stop!” Teana protested, as her voice cracked.

                “I won't change my mind... I can't... In the end, it doesn't matter what I want...or what I feel... Of course I want to help you, to be close to you... Gods, if you only knew how much I wanted that...how I wished for it, for so long... But it's out of my hands... Somehow I feel...that this might be the only way... The only way to keep him from- Yami, I'm sorry! I really thought that I could- I'm so sorry! I never ever wanted this to-”

                  “Please... Don't say another word... This is all my doing, my selfishness... Allow me to try to help you now. I'll give you whatever you need... If I could only-” Yami implored, as he moved forward to reach for her.

                  “I have to go!” Teana cried, as she backed away.

                  “Don't come near me again! For your own sake!” She warned again, as she swiftly and tearfully fled.

                  “Teana! Please wait!” Yami called after her, as he leapt to his feet...

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Chapter 11: Transcending Memories: A Bond Unsealed-Chapter 11
A Yu-Gi-Oh Fan-fiction
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Author's Note (May 2016): Hello again everyone! How are you? Are you doing well? I sure hope that you are! :) I hope you're enjoying the year so far, and that 2016 turns out to be memorable and eventful for all of you as a whole! I'm definitely hoping for the best, and that only great things are on the horizon! I'll cross my fingers anyhow. :)

So what can I say? Though life has kept me busy in recent months, with the start of yet another new job, (which has severely delayed both my art and writing) I was happy to at least finish my last chapter before the end of 2015; though admitte

Description
A Yu-Gi-Oh Fan-fiction
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(The image above was done by as seen by the original here:

Author's Note (December 2015): Hello once again everyone! How are you? Are you doing well? I sure hope that you are! Well, here I am again! It's been a while, hasn't it? I apologize for that... In the past several months, there certainly have been quite a few changes that have taken place. Mostly recently I managed to secure a new job; which due to the high demands of the work, has taken up a great deal of my time! I'm still learning the various processes of this new position however, and I hope that in time I'll be able to use my time more productively, for both work and the things that I love! Wish me luck everyone! Thank you so much!
In terms of the story itself, I'm finding that as I write this commentary, I'm not quite sure what to discuss this time around... Though I'm certain that as I continue on, it'll prove to be just as lengthy as the previous ones! In general, however, I hope that you're all still enjoying my tale as I really have tried to give it my best, despite the lack of updates in recent months. As always, I would greatly appreciate any and all feedback, whether it's commenting on the story as a whole, or even in the form of constructive criticism! I often find it encouraging and quite insightful, in fact! And at times, as my best friend can tell you, it can even help in making the story much stronger; forcing me to think outside of the box! As I mentioned before, I still struggle with confidence, as well maintaining my focus and drive, so I want you all to know that such remarks really do serve to strengthen my resolve! I also find it a great deal of fun discussing such details, not *only* about my own work, but in relation to the true events of the Yu-Gi-Oh anime and manga, as I occasionally discuss with a few good friends of mine!

Speaking of which, I did want to take the time to thank a few especially close friends; ones who have been wonderful enough to support me through this process! Please believe me when I say that I am grateful to *ALL* who read my work, and are kind enough to leave both comments and critiques! But I wouldn't have gotten even *this* far if not for , first and foremost! Being my best friend and honorary sister for more than 20 years, she's been with me every step of the way, since this story's inception, back in 2003! She's also been my unofficial editor, in fact, reading multiple drafts of each chapter, asking me a number of questions as I continued on, and even being brave enough to tell me when something truly wasn't working; whether it was the events themselves, the dialogue, or anything else!

Though I can admittedly be a little sensitive in terms of criticism, I have learned to at least try to be open minded, as it can greatly benefit me and the direction that I travel when writing! Interestingly enough, a *number* of the events that I have written in previous chapters wouldn't have occurred in the same way at all, if not for her feedback! Also, not being a fan of the of the Yu-Gi-Oh franchise herself, it is certainly a great compliment that she still enjoys my own individual work, despite that! She often tells me that she is more invested in the story that I wish to tell, with those established characters and events; in addition to the ones that I created entirely on my own! Thank you SO much :iconDanni Stone:! For absolutely everything! I really couldn't have done it without you!

I also want to thank my good friend who has also supported and encouraged me for several years now! She's encouraged not *only* this story, but also quite a few of my works of art on the Deviantart,! In addition, she even read the original draft of this fan fiction quite some time ago, supporting it even when the story wasn't nearly as developed as it is now! And being a fan of Yu-Gi-Oh herself, she has given me another perspective, being quite knowledgeable of the true canon events, which has been especially encouraging and insightful as I write!

Similarly, I wanted to thank the wonderful, ! Sam is most certainly a kind and generous person, who has also been extremely supportive during the time I have been active on Deviantart! She always has such detailed and interesting things to say about nearly EVERY deviation that I've posted! And most recently she has also been reading and commenting on this story! Being a *very* dedicated and passionate fan too, she has been giving me quite a bit of helpful feedback ! She is even responsible for enlightening me on a potential plot line involving canon characters that I had never considered before! And here I thought I'd heard it all! Whether or not I follow through with this idea remains to be seen, but I can most certainly say I've been enjoying our deep discussions, and learning from her what it means to be a true writer! If you haven't already, check out her own written works, as well as her Deviantart pagel! I can tell you now, that you won't regret it!

And finally I wanted to thank on Deviantart, who has also been rooting me on, as I move forward with my work; in terms of both written and visual! She was even kind enough to write stories herself, based on mine, which has of course been extremely flattering! Thank you too, dear! And though I could thank MANY others for all of the wonderful things they've said and done for me, let me just say that I thank each and every one of you for absolutely everything! I KNOW that you know who you are! And in all seriousness, it means more than I can possibly say!

In terms of the previous chapter, I suppose the majority of it was, rather self explanatory.... I found it a unique challenge to delve a little deeper into the mind of a slightly younger Yami aka Atem, as I attempted to analysis some of the underlying layers of his psyche, and what he may have had to contend with in his own lifetime. In the true anime and manga, I had always wanted to know what the REAL character had been like, in the Ancient Egyptian era, given that the character was without his memory for nearly the entire series! Sadly, this was never addressed before it concluded either! I only hope that in my own attempts, I am doing the character justice, given what little we were told about such details...

For instance, as he discussed with Teana, I do think that Yami did indeed enjoy “performing” in a sense, which seemed evident to me with how dramatic he was in his duels, (though of course he wasn't the ONLY one!). This was further emphasized by how many of his techniques involved not only the Dark/Black Magician, but also a variety of magic tricks, that maybe even a real stage performer would have loved to use in order to captivate his audience! Perhaps much of the previous chapter was my own interpretation behind these actions, but I thought it was something, trying to determine the WHY of it!

It was also interesting imagining how Yami may have used his magic in the past; specifically in an instance when he was NOT exacting punishment against a sinner, as he did in the early manga, or presumably when participating in a Millennium Trial. Though it was never made clear, I liked to believe that he did indeed have natural abilities on top of what was amplified with the use of the Millennium Puzzle. He seemed FAR too adept in his capabilities to rely solely on the magic of the item itself, especially since he was said to be the “chosen” Pharaoh; prophesied to wield the 3 gods, Osiris/Slifer, Obelisk, and Ra. But then, I suppose that's also my own interpretation of what I witnessed within the anime and manga....

In the spirit of adding Easter Eggs, I made a slight reference to the outfit that Yami aka Pharaoh Atem or Atemu wore when he and Seto had that vision of the ancient past; when dueling on top of the Duel Tower in the Batty City Semi-Finals. And likewise, I even alluded to the original design of Yami's Pharaoh outfit in the first few pages of the manga's Millennium World arc, which did indeed include designs on his light blue loin cloth, originally. These designs were seemingly removed in the actual story, however, perhaps for the sake of simplicity's; or because the creator wanted to use this patterning on Pharaoh Akunamukanon's attire instead. Despite having my own visions for where I want this story to go, I really do try to make note of actual events and related details, whenever possible at least; to orient my tale within the world of canon , in some way....

I guess I'll leave it at that for now, everyone! It would seem that I have once again reached double digits with this fan fiction, which I would like to believe is an accomplishment in itself! I originally ended my first attempt at telling this tale at chapter 11, many many years ago! However, I have yet to connect these new events to my old work, which I still fully intend to do! As near as I can discern, I began rewriting this story completely in the middle of my previous chapter 4. And since then, I have moved in an entirely different direction with this revised version! In time, I will indeed tie these plot elements with my previous draft of chapter 5 and onward, (albeit with a considerable amount of revising!). So, be on the look out for those works too, everyone, as again, I'll most certainly try to give it my all! Once more, I truly thank you for your support! And I'll do my best not to take AS long to write my next installment. Now then! On with the story!

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Chapter 10

                  “Teana... How..?” Yami breathed, still feeling the shock of what he had witnessed coursing through him.

  Unable to utter more than those two simple words in his paralyzed state, the young prince was limited to his continuous and inelegant staring; the feeling of intensifying and even maddening disbelief, when gazing at the rattled young woman before him! Due to perhaps, her own momentary incapacitation, Teana had remained seated upon the ground, ever silent; leaving Yami with the difficult task of solely contending with his fluctuating thoughts and feelings!
Replaying those strange, inconceivable occurrences over and over again in his mind, Yami strove to find some sort of logic to them; to comprehend any form of truth that would shed light on the mystery, that now haunted them both... But much like the inner struggle, which had been the source of his distress before he had arrived in the village that afternoon, Yami knew all too well that it was utterly futile to even attempt to solve a puzzle of this magnitude; at least without all of its missing pieces...

                  “It was you, wasn't it....?” Yami began, with a mixture of eagerness and a pulsing agitation. “Somehow, you were able to use your own will to allow us to escape from the illusion; from the darkened realm even! That has to be it! That is the only conclusion that I find probable!”

  As Yami's burning desire to receive answers strengthened further still, he watched as Teana both slowly and laboriously lifted herself from the ground; her unsteady hand clutching the end of the table with her eyes cast downward.

               “I should have known... There is something different about you!”

                 “Different...” Teana whispered, that one word rousing her, at last. “That's not- No, you're wrong! I'm just like everyone el-”

             “Our past experiences have led me to believe otherwise, Teana! Without a doubt, you possess a unique quality of some sort; one that I find to be...quite unusual... Perhaps... Perhaps that was even the reason why I was drawn to you!”

                  “The reason that you were drawn to-” Teana echoed, her tone uneven.

                  “Could it be possible that...you are like me? Or the individuals chosen to be part of the royal court, rather? And if that is indeed the case, do you also possess magical abilities?!” Yami questioned her, as he began to step forward.

                   “Magical abilities... I... No! I don't know what you're talking about!” Teana argued, still unable to meet his gaze.

                  “What reason do you have to deny it, Teana?! I was there with you! From the very moment it began, to its nightmarish end! And I am quite certain of what I saw, and heard! The vision I conjured! The vision that stemmed from the depths of your mind! It changed drastically into one of enshrouding darkness! Rather, you unveiled the dark dimension in which only a select few know to exist; myself included! It was as if...the knowledge was buried deep within your subconscious, hidden beneath the landscape that I initially manifested... And in time, it managed to rise to the surface; eclipsing all else... It's true, isn't it?! From what little I am able to comprehend, it would appear that you are quite familiar with this realm; with these powers even! Why is that? You must know something pertaining to this! Anything! The smallest or even the most insignificant detail could hold the key! The key to more than either of us realizes! What is the extent of your capabilities? How long have you been aware of them? And...just what was it that you feared most within that darkness? Who or what were you referring to, that could invoke such a frightful response! Please... You must tell me!”

  With gradual, retreating movements, Teana was soon hindered by the edge of the table; jabbing painfully into her lower back. With no where to turn, her arms extended backwards; as she pressed both hands firmly against its wooden surface.

                  “I... It's not what you-” Teana stammered. “I really don't know! I don't know anything! Believe me!”

                   “That's enough, Teana! You can't run from this any longer! Be honest with me! With yourself, even! I want the truth! Please! I need to know the truth!” Yami demanded, seizing hold of both of her shoulders.

   The suddenness of his grasp prompting her to exclaim in surprise, Yami soon realized that in doing so, he had forced Teana to recoil even further! Her back arching away from him, she had instinctively braced herself, with a slight, yet audible whimper! While one hand still supported her weight at that unnatural angle, she had placed the other tightly upon her chest; her eyes squinting in a fearful, defensive manner!

                  “Teana... I'm sorry... I never meant to-” Yami gasped; stunned by his own aggressive behavior.

  Her small frame beginning to tremble at his touch, Yami quickly removed himself; stepping aside to allow her room to regain her bearings.

                   “I apologize... Truly.” Yami said again, as he bowed his head, remorsefully. “Please, forgive me for what I- However...to my deep regret, I can not withdraw my line of questioning, Teana... In spite of everything, I still ask that you answer my-”

  In stark contrast to his claim, much less his unbending resolve, Yami felt torn; guilt-ridden, as he began to waver... In truth, he wished that he could concede, having absolutely no desire to interrogate Teana so coldly, so relentlessly; as if she were a criminal on trial... But what overshadowed even those feelings, was the acute nature of his desperation; his permeating need for resolution! Despite his efforts to reign in his admittedly disgraceful display, to compose himself fully, with what were now noticeably shallow breaths, Yami found it increasingly difficult to focus; to halt the spiraling descent of...whatever it was that clouded his judgment... Yet through it all, the young prince had a vague sense that there was some underlying secret that Teana could impart; some crucial piece of information, which would free him from his burdens, at long last!

   However, though his scattered thoughts alternated between his persistent urge to act on impulse, and what would normally result in sound deduction on his part, the only sliver of clarity that he could now discern, was that if Teana had dared to counter him, inquiring why Yami was so sure of himself, he would have been forced to declare that he was basing his suspicions on intuition alone... In the end, he had nothing to corroborate his assertion; his professed certainty that anything she ultimately divulged, would somehow relate to what he was seeking... And from this perspective, seeing the grim harshness of this reality, only made his actions even more contemptible; regardless of his mind state...

                  *Has it...come to this...? To have reason to doubt my own instincts? To behave like-! Like the monster I fear I'm becoming... This time, it took so little... So little, to nearly make me lose...control...* Yami reflected, as he gazed sorrowfully at the unresponsive young woman. *To make matters worse, I may have risked alienating her, even hurting her, for nothing more than a- No... I have yet to receive an explanation for what she- I don't know how or why, but this extends far beyond logic; beyond anything that I've ever- No matter the cost, I need to see this through... I must do this, before I- * He hesitated, as he shook his head, dismissively.

                  *More importantly... I must consider the safety of others... And above all, I will do whatever necessary to protect those I care for...even if I am the one they need protection from... But how? How can I appeal to her? I've already- What more can I possibly-!*

  Finding himself completely at a loss, as he felt the full extent of his frustration, shame, and even fear, weighing down on him, without mercy, Yami soon felt his body sinking to the ground; falling to one knee, as he both purposefully and wearily humbled himself before Teana. And though he could have sworn that he had heard an astonished intake of air as a result of his actions, the young prince continued to look downward; as he too breathed inwardly, before strenuously exhaling again.

                  “Please. Please, Teana... You must try to understand, understand the importance, the urgency of what could-” Yami paused, allowing his mind to wander, as he solemnly closed his eyes.

                   “To find what I am searching for... To know the truth of why I- When...? When did it start? A week ago? A month? Or has it been building quietly, gradually, over the span of several years...? And just how much time have I lost, thinking, dwelling on these utterly infuriating-! For every waking hour, of every day, I've scrutinized the possibilities; the number of questions that remain unanswered... Even a short time ago, I could think of nothing else, when I asked- When I demanded those answers from you...resulting in that same familiar sensation, coursing through me, compelling me to give in... And then, before I had even realized, it was already too late... I had viciously grabbed hold of-!” Yami stopped abruptly, as he clenched his fists in anguish.

                  “I...lost sight of you again, Teana...disregarding your feelings; in a way that was far worse than what occurred in mid-day... I wanted you to tell me everything, but what right do I have? When I have yet to be honest with you myself? In the time we've spent together, I neglected to tell you my true purpose for coming here this afternoon; though I can now say that it is only one of many...”

  As a wave of uncharacteristic and even sickening nervousness had begun to wash over him, followed by a strange sense of dread, Yami could feel himself swallowing; struggling to regain some semblance of composure, at the very least! Cursing inwardly, he was shocked to see that his hands were now shaking, which only served to amplify his level of apprehension! And as he continued to falter, to reel from it even, he was then seized with a sudden and overwhelming need to ground himself! His right arm shooting out involuntarily, he attempted to grab hold of something! To grab hold of Teana! But before Yami could allow himself to do so, to potentially frighten the young women a second time, he was somehow able to hinder his irrationality, as his left hand clamped tightly upon his own wrist!

                  *Why would I-?! Of all the thoughtless, fool-hardy-!* He thought with bewilderment, mortification, and even horror!

  With his barely restrained arm hovering mere inches away from her, Yami began to question not only his reasons for his repeated, frantic response, but disturbingly, what would have resulted if he hadn't stopped himself... Had it simply been some strange desire to root himself in reality, as he vaguely acknowledged? Or would he have unintentionally harmed Teana, even more severely, like he had done to Mahado...?

                  *What is wrong with me...?! To do such things! Twice now! I am only making the situation- Worse...?* He concluded, stifling a humorless laugh. *As if it were even possible for things to worsen at this stage... Ridiculous...*

  Though Yami had been skeptical from the beginning, that he could somehow plead his case in a manner that was either coherent or comprehensible, disheartened, he soon came to the conclusion that he had lost his opportunity to do so, entirely... Teana would never help him now, much less allow him to- And with that notion, he felt his sense of hopelessness settling, his emotions darkening, as that same surge of energy beckoned to him yet again; this time, with an almost soothing promise of release...

                  *How very unlike me... To even consider submitting to- And yet... After everything that's happened... I would not blame her, if she simply chose to-*

  To his genuine surprise, it was then that Yami felt the unexpected touch of Teana's own outstretched hand, slowly and cautiously clasping the one that he extended; which he had begun to lower in defeat. It was such a small and simple gesture, yet undoubtedly one filled with compassion... However, perhaps even more so, in the midst of such chaos, to Yami it could only be seen as an act of mercy, one that pacified him, staving off the enclosing madness; at least for the present moment...

                  “Teana...” Yami breathed affectionately, with a feeling of undeserving gratitude.

  Raising his head upward to face her, Yami could at last see that in spite of herself, Teana's own distress, as well as her visible agitation, had remained constant... It could be seen not only by the rivaling of her equally or even exceedingly quivering hand, but also the tremors that clearly affected her from head to toe... And yet, within her expression, Yami could distinguish something more: the presence of a focused, rather purposeful determination! The stability of such resolve was fragile, on the brink of faltering at any given time, but it was still a conscious, spirited effort; one that Teana struggled to uphold nonetheless.

                  “That last time you came to see me... I... I did that too... Remember?“ Teana said, barely above a whisper. “I reached out to you, so that I could tell you how I- I was desperate then... And I was so sure... So sure that you'd never- But you heard me out... You stayed with me... And since then- No... Even before then, you've done so much... More than I ever would've thought possible... If... If I can do the same for you, even in some small way, then I- It's like you said... Both now, and in my dre- That I should at least try... I want to try to understand. Everything... And somehow, I feel that I need to. Not just for you, but for my own sake...”

                  “Thank you, Teana... Thank you for giving me this chance to-” Yami sighed heavily, finding comfort, strength, and solace in not only her willingness to listen, but in that still trembling hand that she had offered him.

                  “I'm scared...” Teana had voiced, suddenly.

  Meeting her gaze once again, Yami watched as she herself seemed shocked by this admission, as she brought her other hand to her mouth in disbelief.

                  “I'm sorry...” Teana continued, as that arm fell limp at her side. “But that's how I feel. I wish that I didn't feel that way... More than anything in the world... And I know that you said that I shouldn't be afraid...”

                  “What..? I said that you shouldn't-?”

                  “But I can't... I can't help it. No matter what I feel for you, no matter how grateful I am, I can't just pretend that I'm-”

                  “No, it's all right... I assure you, it is... I wanted you to be honest, regardless of the truth that I would learn... And given all you've seen, what you've had to endure, maybe even before today...it's only natural that you would feel fear... I understand, Teana. Perhaps more than you realize... And I know, because I feel the same as you...”

  Using the hand that he held to urge Teana forward, though only to a level that she herself deemed appropriate, in the back of his mind, Yami feared that even the slightest misstep would shatter her remaining trust, forcing her to pull away entirely; much like he had initially presumed. Yet, with guarded optimism, inspired by the faith that she had managed to place in him, despite herself, he very gently entwined his fingers within hers, as he laid his opposite hand above them both. And as the young prince felt himself calming further still, he silently hoped to convey all that he could; so that Teana would understand him as well...

                  “What I feel...is that this, all of this, is connected somehow; in a way that even I can not fathom... But as for my purpose- No, my purposes for coming here today...” Yami paused, as his expression softened. “You must know, that the one that I considered, more than any other, is that I wanted to see you, Teana...” He then said, with a slight squeeze of her hand.

                  “And, if you can allow yourself, I ask that you please accept the sincerity of these words...for merely anticipating your company, the very thought of being with you again, is what managed to sustain me in the days that passed; particularly in my...darkest hours... However, as odd as it may sound, I can't be certain if it was a conscious choice for me to arrive this afternoon; as I somehow felt...that I was compelled to come here...” Yami disclosed.

                  “I'm also aware that I was quite adamant about this, a short time ago... And before you misunderstand my meaning, either then or now, believe me when I say that it changes nothing regarding my desire to be close to you... If things were simpler, and I truly wish they were, I still would've wanted to come; for no other reason than to learn more about you, and to have you know me...” He elaborated further.

                   “But with that said, it would seem that there is another possibility, another purpose behind our unlikely meeting... What that purpose is, however... I- I can't fully explain...either to you, or to myself... And no matter what I tell you, in the end, perhaps there truly isn't way to convince you of what is happening, to make you believe that I-”

                  “No, I do believe you.” Teana assured, as she struggled to remain firm. “I know that something isn't right...that something's happening, to both of us... I... I want you to tell me. Please, tell me more...”

                  “Very well... I can tell you...that I've begun to question it... My fate, my destiny... Everything... But then, I suppose I've always been divided on such things...haven't I...?” Yami considered, with another shift in tone.

                  “To a degree, my experiences with magic have been an influence; my exposure to relics with the power of premonition, or others that are said to reveal the very nature of one's spiritual essence. And though I would openly acknowledge the contours of a predetermined path, I was also of the opinion that this course could be altered in some way; by the choices one makes. Until only recently, I had absolutely no reason to doubt this, Teana... As contradictory as it seemed, I had faith in the gods, as well as the strength of my own will. And with this conviction, I continued on; moving confidently towards the future... I had hope that I could change things for the better; that there was more for me to accomplish than I could ever comprehend... But then...”

  Swallowing uncomfortably once more, Yami realized that even with his great powers of deduction, there was still no way of knowing how Teana would ultimately react to his confession, particularly one that was so obscure and ominous. Even in spite of the empathy that Teana had shown him, or the hand that he still held, Yami hesitated...

  Vaguely acknowledging that it was both untimely and inappropriate, a small part of him felt the anticipation that he would when gambling; betting everything on a strategic maneuver, or the sheer luck of the draw. But unlike any mere game or competition, the stakes seemed higher than they'd ever been... It was as if he were at a crossroads of some sort, this time, with his very life on the line... And though one could debate that its importance was trivial, in comparison to the former, Yami also knew that Teana's perception of him could be forever altered; a thought that filled him with a grave sense of foreboding...

                  “But then something changed...” Yami began again. “A change that threatens every one of those beliefs; as it casts a dark and menacing shadow upon the bright future I'd envisioned. Though, when I consider the reason behind this change... I... I'm unable to distinguish its' origin... Could it be due to some external force perhaps? One that seeks to control and dictate what's to become of me? Or worse yet, is it something occurring within me instead? I've come to ask myself, more and more often, if my own nature, the reflection of my very soul, my Ka, is being corrupted... And if that is the case, why? I can't be certain, but what I do know...is that something is very wrong, Teana... You sensed it too, didn't you...? The unnatural shift in my demeanor, from the very moment we returned to this world... I can only describe it as a surge of engulfing negativity, affecting my every word, my thoughts, my actions! And when it does manifest, it can occur without the slightest warning! And that, that is what fills me with terror...”

                  “Yami...” Teana quietly acknowledged.

                  “I am sorry Teana...for all that I've done...” Yami whispered, as he again lowered his gaze. “How this must sound...! Perhaps you think that I am simply making excuses for myself, that this is some intricate, fictitious scenario; not unlike the ones that we discussed earlier this evening. If... If only it were some fantastical tale; one concocted to frighten children in the dark... But like you, I must also come to terms with it; that I am afraid... And that I have been, for quite some time now... As that fear grows, along side any other negative emotion, it becomes increasingly difficult to tell right from wrong... Or rather, what I know to be wrong can somehow feel right; even justified, in the heat of the moment... I become a stranger to myself... And this other me is one to be feared indeed; for what he has forced upon me, and how it affects those who surround me... I... I've hurt people, Teana... Either in the physical, mental, or spiritual sense... And I would only come to this realization, when the damage had already been done... Lengths of time would pass... Sudden lapses that I'm unable to account for, ranging from mere minutes, to an hour, maybe more... I'm then left with no knowledge of what transpired, or at best, what lingered would be fragmented, vague; comparable to waking from some terrible nightmare... But I would soon learn that it was all very real, that the power I wield had inadvertently been used as a weapon; injuring both the guilty and the innocent... That it was done with my power, my two hands...!” Yami trailed, shutting his eyes momentarily. “I must put an end to it! Now! I simply can't allow it to continue any longer! And for that, Teana, I need you...”

                  “Me...?” Teana whispered, more as statement rather than a question.

                  “Even in asking this, I know how incredibly unfair this is to you, how confusing it must be... In saying this, I may have only succeeded in strengthening your fear...of me... But understand that in the days that passed, I searched tirelessly, endlessly for answers! Yet to no avail... Despite my determination, I found absolutely nothing to aide me; nothing that could even refute what one would consider a clear descent into madness! This very morning, I can recall telling my mentor how in only a short time, I exhausted countless methods; every source of knowledge imaginable! It was because of this that I left the palace today, with a guarded, fragile hope; a hope that I would somehow find what I was seeking elsewhere... And that faith that I had, that silent prayer, led me here, Teana....” Yami remarked.

                  “I never intended to lie to you, to betray your trust... But I also realize that I've broken my word; the promise that I made to you, that I would not press you for anything that you were unwilling to disclose to me on your own accord... I... I can only beg your forgiveness, for that as well... Know that I am truly truly sorry; for under any other circumstances, I would say that my word is my bond... But, if there is something, anything that relates to what I have told you at all, I humbly ask that you tell me now... Please, please... I believe, or rather, I have the distinct sense....that only you can help me...” Yami concluded at long last.

                  “It...happened again... Those words you just- They... They were almost exactly like the ones in my-” Teana gasped in alarm.

  Though he was unable to grasp the meaning of those short, clipped phrases, the young prince found that he had involuntarily braced himself when she spoke; as he finally raised his head upward to face her... It was then that Yami witnessed that Teana was now weeping, that she perhaps had been, for the latter part of his account; as seen by the continuous flow of tears, streaming silently down her cheeks! This was accompanied by a very prominent expression as well; one that was equally sympathetic, stricken, and horrified, all at once!

                   “Why...? Why is any of this happening again...?” Teana breathed, more so to herself, than to him.

                  “Again...? Teana, I don't understa-”

                  “Is it...really because of me...? Am I the cause of-”

                  “You?!” Yami exclaimed, utterly stunned by her assumption. “No, of course not! Why would you even think such a-?”

                  “What Neema said before... About how I- Or how my father- Maybe... Maybe it is me that he- He's come back to finish what he- No, I'm sorry! I can't help you Yami!” Teana cried, as she withdrew her hand at last.

                  “Teana, please! I'm begging you! You must-”

                  “NO! This is crazy! It can't be real! It just can't!” Teana cried, burying her face in her hands.

  Gasping heavily in the midst of her sobbing, as she feebly attempted to compose herself, with one final choking breath, Teana removed those two hands; to gaze down at Yami once more. Revealing a strange, almost distant expression, she then slowly and weakly lowered her arms; as they again fell limp at her sides.

                  “But...” Teana whispered, in a small, despairing voice. “Even if I don't understand everything that's going on... If the same thing were to happen, like what happened to my- To think that I could lose you, in the same way... No, I can't... I can't go through that again! I couldn't bear to see- You... You need to get away from me! You have to! Stay far away!” Teana declared, with a mixture of both sorrow and desperation.

  Feeling himself react to such a staggering notion, Yami could only stare at her, with an unbelieving, forlorn expression; an expression that Teana soon reciprocated, despite herself, with one that was becoming increasingly more distraught!

                  “Whatever's happening,” Teana continued, with a crumbling resolve, “being around me only seems to make things-”

                  “I... I've managed upset you... I can see that... And it is, of course, understandable...” Yami attempted to rationalize, with an apprehension that was audible to his own ears.

                “Much like everything that's occurred this evening, I take full responsibility... I do... If... If you will allow me, perhaps I can escort you to your home... With a proper night's rest, and some more thought, you may find that you've reconsidered your-”

                  “Please! Stop!” Teana protested, as her voice cracked.

                “I won't change my mind... I can't... In the end, it doesn't matter what I want...or what I feel... Of course I want to help you, to be close to you... Gods, if you only knew how much I wanted that...how I wished for it, for so long... But it's out of my hands... Somehow I feel...that this might be the only way... The only way to keep him from- Yami, I'm sorry! I really thought that I could- I'm so sorry! I never ever wanted this to-”

                  “Please... Don't say another word... This is all my doing, my selfishness... Allow me to try to help you now. I'll give you whatever you need... If I could only-” Yami implored, as he moved forward to reach for her.

                  “I have to go!” Teana cried, as she backed away.

                  “Don't come near me again! For your own sake!” She warned again, as she swiftly and tearfully fled.

                  “Teana! Please wait!” Yami called after her, as he leapt to his feet...

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Chapter 11: Transcending Memories: A Bond Unsealed-Chapter 11
A Yu-Gi-Oh Fan-fiction
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Author's Note (May 2016): Hello again everyone! How are you? Are you doing well? I sure hope that you are! :) I hope you're enjoying the year so far, and that 2016 turns out to be memorable and eventful for all of you as a whole! I'm definitely hoping for the best, and that only great things are on the horizon! I'll cross my fingers anyhow. :)

So what can I say? Though life has kept me busy in recent months, with the start of yet another new job, (which has severely delayed both my art and writing) I was happy to at least finish my last chapter before the end of 2015; though admitte