Atem felt as though he had been asleep for a very long time.

And perhaps it was true. It had been so long... since he last felt this kind of peace.

No darkness. No cold. No lingering stench clinging to him night after night.

Only warmth—gentle, like someone's arms wrapped around him.

Atem dreamed he was standing somewhere both strange and familiar—warm, carrying the faint scent of sea breeze.

"Atem!"

He turned his head.

Two figures were running toward him. 

"Atem!"

They were calling him. Who were they? He couldn't remember...

"Mom! Dad!"

A small boy with tri-colored hair darted from somewhere, throwing himself into their embrace.

The pure, tender call rang out in the sunlight.

The three of them held each other gently. In that moment, the mother's voice rang—clear and warm:

"How's my Atem today?"

"Its wonderful! Today I learned a new magic trick! Look, look!"

The boy lifted his hand toward the sea. A crystal-clear bubble of water floated upward, sparkling in the sun.

He looked up at his parents, eyes filled with hope.

"That's my boy!"

The father lifted his small son high into the air, spinning him under the bright sky before placing him gently in his arms—an embrace that seemed to hold the whole world.

The mother stood beside them, smiling softly—a tender smile, light as the breeze, carrying love too deep for words.

Then their figures slowly faded into the mist, drifting away in silence.

...

Atem opened his eyes.

It was the same familiar ceiling.

A trace of warmth still lingered near the corner of his eye.

Had he... fallen asleep?

Yesterday...

Memories came flooding back. Atem's cheeks grew faintly warm.

Where was Yugi?

He tried to sit up, but couldn't.

Looking down, a messy head of violet-tinted hair came into view.

Yugi was still asleep, clinging to him like an octopus—one leg thrown across his stomach, an arm locked tight around him.

Atem watched in silence, his gaze unconsciously softening.

He sleeps so badly.

He glanced at the window—still dark outside. The room was quiet as a held breath, broken only by Yugi's soft breathing beside him.

Atem didn't have the heart to wake him.

He closed his eyes again.

It had been so long... since it was this quiet.

Sleeping a little longer wouldn't hurt.

...

Dawn came.

The first rays of sunlight slipped through the window, gentle as a blessing for the new day.

Yugi stirred, rubbing his eyes.

So sleepy.

He wanted to keep sleeping. Hugging the thing in his arms, he nuzzled his head against it.

So comfortable. The pillow today was so warm, smelled nice... though it was a bit firm...

Wait.

Pillow!?

Yugi's eyes snapped open. Atem's sleeping face was so close his heart leapt into his throat.

"Ah!"

He instantly pulled his arms and legs back, face blazing, rolling away in a hurry.

Clutching his chest and panting, he glanced over.

Thank goodness... he was still asleep.

Last night, he had fallen asleep on Yugi's shoulder, so Yugi had gently helped him lie down on the bed. The trouble was, that hand wouldn't let go, still gripping Yugi tightly and stiffly, which eventually forced him to stay and sleep beside him.

Yugi quietly slipped off the bed. His injuries from yesterday had healed, his clothes were clean and fragrant.

Atem must have helped him.

A stormy night like that... it still felt like a dream.

Yugi glanced at Atem again. He was still asleep, face peaceful—looking far gentler than when awake.

Yugi smiled faintly.

He stretched, yawning, and looked around the room.

Everything was tidy, as if the storm had never happened. The bloodstains, the chaos—gone. Everything back in its place.

Magic really was convenient.

A glint caught Yugi's eye. Something was peeking out from under the bookshelf.

He bent down to pick it up.

A slightly crumpled sheet of paper, bearing a drawing that looked strangely familiar.

Wasn't this...

...

Atem awoke when the sun was already high.

Midday light streamed through the window into the now-empty room.

He sat up at once when he realized the space beside him was empty.

Yugi...?

A flicker of panic crossed his eyes.

Was it a dream?!

He looked around almost frantically. But everything was silent, lifeless. No sound, no warmth, no trace left behind.

Only... a small bundle neatly placed on the table by the window.

A meal. And beside it, a slip of paper:

Thank you for taking care of me.

I left a bit of food for you—hope you don't mind. I had to leave early, but I'll come back later.

Yugi

Atem stared at the note for a long time.

Then a faint smile slowly curved his lips.

He sat down, opened the food bundle. Its lingering warmth spread softly to his heart.

...

After a night of "disappearance," Yugi nearly sprinted back to his room. He quickly climbed the large tree outside the window—a familiar path—then slipped inside in one swift motion.

Breathing in relief, he glanced around. Seemed... no one had noticed. Good.

He pulled a folded paper from his pocket, frowned slightly, and quietly hid it in the cabinet.

...

In the hallway leading to the main hall, Yugi spotted a familiar figure.

"Yugi!"

"Anzu!"

They rushed toward each other, hands clasping, smiles bright. It had been days since they'd had a free moment together.

"I missed you so much! You were nowhere to be found!" Anzu pouted.

"Sorry, I was a bit busy. I missed you too," Yugi replied with a slightly guilty smile.

Anzu smiled playfully.

"Just teasing you. Oh, by the way—"

She lowered her voice:

"Yesterday... what happened? I heard there was an incident at the palace. I even felt magic... That man—did he hurt you?"

Yugi shook his head slightly, answering in the same hushed tone:

"There were... some things. I'll tell you later."

"Oh, what are the two of you whispering about?" a voice called from behind them.

Jounouchi approached with a mischievous grin, hands in his pockets. He glanced at Anzu, then teased Yugi:
"Your Highness, I didn't know you had such a pretty girlfriend."

"No, it's not like that!" Yugi waved frantically. "This is Anzu, my close friend. Anzu, this is Jounouchi—a delegate from Casineth."

Anzu bowed politely. "Nice to meet you, sir."

"Hey now, don't be so formal, that's awkward," Jounouchi waved off. "We look about the same age, so relax."

He turned to Yugi, eyes pleading dramatically:
"Hey, when no one's around, can I just call you Yugi?"

"Uh... sure. Go ahead," Yugi nodded.

"Then call me Jounouchi. All that ceremony gets tiring," Jounouchi winked.

Anzu eyed the brash young man with a faint smile. "A delegate who hates ceremony?"

"Delegates are still people—some like this, some like that. And in Casineth, we're pretty relaxed. Unless it's something hugely important, everyone lives normally. Our prince is even more laid-back than I am!" Jounouchi snorted.

He clapped Yugi's shoulder warmly:
"You did pretty well yesterday. Still weak, but acceptable. From now on, if anyone bullies you, just drop my name—they'll scatter."

Yugi chuckled, a bit shy but feeling encouraged. "Thanks."

"Hey, you two ignoring me now?" Anzu cut in, hands on hips. "Yugi, what really happened yesterday?"

"Well, it's... uh—" Yugi began, but—

"Please, Your Highness and sir delegate, proceed to the main hall. The banquet is about to begin," a servant announced, bowing.

Jounouchi quickly asked:
"Tonight the delegates are free, right, Yugi?"

"Yeah, according to the schedule. Just need to be at the evening banquet."

"Perfect! You two take me around Domino tonight. Somewhere lively, not too formal."

Anzu and Yugi exchanged a glance and spoke in unison: "Deal!"

"We'll meet at the usual place, Anzu. Wait—" Yugi paused. "You being here means..."

"That's right." Anzu winked with a mischievous smile.

In the corner of the hall, a pair of eyes watched them... before retreating into the shadows.

...

Today was the last day the delegates would remain in Domino. Perhaps due to last night's incident, the schedule had been shortened slightly—but fortunately, none of them seemed displeased.

A letter had been sent to Lumina's royal family, detailing the accident. Though the Domino king had found no suspicious leads, his preliminary conclusion was that it had been a freak sea storm.

To help the delegates relax, the palace had prepared a lavish banquet in the main hall—recently repaired—accompanied by a performance from the Moon Convergence dancers.

"The incident yesterday was unfortunate. On behalf of the Kingdom of Domino, I extend my sincerest apologies to Lumina's delegation. We have informed your royal family and are in negotiations. Please enjoy your final day at the festival without worry."

With that, he gestured lightly.

A troupe of dancers entered—golden costumes trimmed in silver, flowing under the sunlight. Music began. The dance unfolded—a farewell gift in motion.

The melody was airy, like a drifting breeze.

The dancers emerged from both sides, silk robes swaying with every graceful step. They moved in perfect harmony, each motion fluid, each turn and extension serene.

It was not as lively as the Moon Convergence's opening dances—rather, slow and gentle, like morning light. Yet that gentleness sank deep into the heart.

At the peak, the dancers spun together, letting their hems flare like sudden blossoms in an endless field. At the center, a young dancer bowed slightly, extending her hand toward the delegates—a silent greeting that needed no words.

As the final notes faded, the troupe stilled in the grand hall. They turned in unison, taking their positions, forming a living tableau—like celestial maidens stepped from paintings, beautiful and proud.

Yugi glanced at Anzu, smiling with quiet pride.

Anzu seemed to sense his gaze. She looked back and winked teasingly.

The delegates spoke up, each in their own tone but all with goodwill:

"A truly gentle yet memorable performance," the Ironheart king said with a steady voice.

Young Kris at his side tried to contain her excitement, cheeks flushed, eyes bright with admiration.

"They're truly talented dancers, Your Majesty," Jounouchi added sincerely, eyes sparkling. "I'll report back to Casineth. I hope one day they can perform in our palace."

"Yes. Wonderful, Your Majesty," Haga added, polite in tone but unable to hide the hunger in his gaze fixed on Anzu. "Perhaps I too will petition our king... regarding these beautiful dancers."

Seeing the mood warm again, the Domino king nodded slightly. Soft drumbeats followed, signaling the banquet's official start.

...

"Yugi, what do you usually do in your free time?" Jounouchi asked, walking leisurely beside him.

The two had just finished breakfast, and until noon, Jounouchi was completely free—no duties from the royal family.

"Hmm... let's see. I usually read or play games with the servants." Yugi smiled faintly. It was an old habit... though things had changed over the past half year.

"Games, huh?" Jounouchi's eyes lit up. "Nice! Want to play with me? I've heard a lot of famous games came from your country. I was even thinking of bringing some home!"

"Sure. But no betting," Yugi said.

"Fine, fine, no betting," Jounouchi pouted dramatically.

And so the morning passed quickly, just the two of them with games scattered across the floor. The once-quiet room now rang with laughter. Yugi had found a new friend—a bit impulsive, somewhat cocky, but genuinely kind.

"I win!" Yugi grinned triumphantly.

"I was one move away..." Jounouchi collapsed to the floor, groaning theatrically.

"Let's play again! This time I'll get my revenge!"

"Enough, let's take a break," Yugi laughed.

"You're just scared of my power, huh?"

"Yes, I'm terrified. Sit down."

"Hmph."

Suddenly, he turned serious: "Hey, I wanted to ask you something."

"Yeah?"

"That night with the fireworks... what were those monsters? I've never seen anything like them." His eyes shone.

Yugi lowered his head, unsure how to answer.

"Yugi? Why are you quiet?"

"Uh... what did you think of them?" Yugi asked cautiously.

"They were amazing."

Yugi looked up, surprised.

"I've never seen anything so unique. They were so fascinating I wanted to find them and bring them home. Where'd you get those fireworks? And hey, why's your face so red?" Jounouchi noticed.

Yugi didn't answer right away. Emotion swelled in his chest, tightening his throat. Not just one person—but slowly, more and more people were accepting his creations.

Jounouchi looked flustered, not knowing why the prince before him seemed on the verge of tears.

"You okay? Did I say something wrong? If you don't want to talk—"

"No... it's fine," Yugi shook his head, voice trembling. After a moment, he calmly explained about that night, and that the "firework monsters" had been built by his friend from his own sketches.

"Sketches?"

"You've traveled a lot and played many games, right?" Yugi asked.

"Yeah, quite a few."

"Then... I have a game I plan to release someday. Want to see it?"

"It's got those monsters? Of course!" Jounouchi grinned.

Yugi retrieved a thick notebook from the shelf. Inside were carefully hand-drawn cards with rules. He explained the basics, then waited nervously.

Silence.

Yugi began to worry. Was it that bad? His hands were sweating, his heart racing.

Suddenly, Jounouchi grabbed his hands.

"Yugi... when you release it, can you give your friends first access?"

"Uh... if you want, I'll let you try it first..." Yugi blinked.

"Yeah!!" Jounouchi pumped his fist.

"This is great! I bet it'll be huge!"

"You... you don't think the monsters are weird?"

"Weird is good, Yugi. I know there are tons of people out there craving something new, unique, and exciting. Your game has all that—it's strange, fresh, competitive. And competition draws people in. The thrill of winning through your own skill... that's addictive."

Yugi was still stunned.

"But maybe add some rules—it's a bit simple now. I think... Yugi?"

"Ah... sorry, I need a minute to calm down..." Yugi covered his face, flushed.

"You look like you're about to explode!" Jounouchi laughed.

After a long moment, Yugi steadied his breath.

"This is just a prototype. I still need to refine the rules—maybe a few more tests."

"Better now? You looked like you just came from battle."

"Yeah, I'm just... uh... emotional," Yugi smiled sheepishly, heart still racing.

"Alright, I've got some ideas. Want to hear them?"

"Of course! Let me grab paper."

Yugi jumped up, moving stiffly, making Jounouchi double over laughing.

"You look hilarious, Yugi!"

"Shut up..." Yugi laughed along, blushing.

...

"Yugi, this afternoon I've got some things to do, so I can't hang out with you," — Jounouchi said regretfully as the two of them left the banquet hall. The midday party had just ended.

"Ah, it's fine. I've got a few things to take care of too," — Yugi smiled, still thinking about the note from yesterday... He also had something he wanted to ask Atem.

"But I wanted to play!" — Jounouchi immediately exclaimed, his tone exaggerated.

"Come on, we'll meet again tonight. I'll take you to eat the best dishes here," — Yugi laughed, patting his friend's shoulder with a promise.

"Really? Awesome! Ah, but... why are you carrying that bag? Are you still hungry...?"

"Ah, I'm planning to meet a friend. We... plan to go on a picnic together," — Yugi replied, thinking he was telling the truth.

"Oh. Have fun. Remember you promised to meet me too, don't have so much fun that you forget your friend," — Jounouchi teased, winking mischievously.

"Of course not!" — Yugi nudged him lightly.

They both laughed, waving goodbye as usual.

Yugi quickly returned to his room and retrieved the carefully hidden note. He didn't want to waste any more time. His heart pounded as he hurried toward the familiar small house.

"Atem..."

The scene was still familiar — a neat little room with wide-open windows, a wooden table, a single chair, and a lone figure silently bowing his head.

Atem was still focused on the piece of wood in his hands. He was carving something — carefully, seriously, as if every cut carried meaning.

Those red eyes finally looked up, meeting Yugi's gaze. The eyes were no longer cold, but gentle like a calm lake. They reflected only one person — him.

"Yes?" He asked, his voice so soft that Yugi couldn't help but feel his heart soften. It seemed all the burdens in him had been set down, making Atem appear... more alive than ever.

"Ah, it's nothing, I just brought you some food," Yugi said shyly, feeling suddenly a little embarrassed.

Atem stood up and stepped toward him. He took the bag, tilting his head at Yugi as usual, his voice even:

"Come in."

Yugi was a little dazed. That was new.

"Um..."

He followed him inside. Atem set the bag aside without opening it, continuing with his wood and tools, but this time he moved to the larger table, sitting right next to Yugi.

"Not eating?" Yugi asked curiously.

"I just woke up. Ate a little, not hungry yet," Atem replied without pausing his hands.

Yugi glanced at him. Today he seemed a bit different, not as distant as usual. Was it because of yesterday?

Never mind, this person has always been unpredictable.

"Atem." Yugi spoke, hesitating slightly. "I have something I want to ask."

Atem glanced over, signaling that he was listening.

Yugi carefully took out the prepared paper and placed it on the table in front of him. Atem's eyes flickered, but he quickly regained his calm demeanor.

"Do you know what this is?" Yugi asked softly.

On the paper was a drawing of an upside-down pyramid with an eye in the center. Surprisingly, in the corner was a sketch of a box — exactly like Casineth's offering box.

"This used to be my treasure" Atem said quietly.

"So... do you want to take it back?" Yugi asked slowly, almost testing him.

Atem looked genuinely surprised this time. "You mean you want to give it to me?"

"So... you know it's here?" Yugi furrowed his brows.

Atem nodded and fell silent.

A moment of quiet passed before he looked at him.

"I want you to keep it."

"...Huh?"

"If you solve it, it will protect you. You probably already know that."

Yugi nodded and asked again:

"But it used to be yours. Shouldn't it protect you instead?"

Atem let out a small laugh — a self-mocking smile.

"Protect me? Yugi, you should think about yourself."

Yugi pouted.

"What do you mean? I'm weak, but I can protect myself too."

Atem smiled softly.

"I know, but having that will make it safer. Moreover..."

He paused, his gaze distant.

"I don't think it would accept me anymore."

Yugi frowned. "What do you mean?"

Atem took a deep breath and spoke slowly:

"It's a treasure born of light. It only acknowledges those who carry light within them."

"And I..." — he looked at his hand, smiling sadly — "...have been abandoned a long time ago."

Yugi was speechless. He didn't know how to respond. The atmosphere in the room felt heavy.

Finally, he seemed to make up his mind and gently asked:

"Atem... who are you?"

The question hung slowly, as if afraid to touch a wound that had never healed.

Atem remained silent.

He put down the wood he was carving, fingers tracing its edge lightly, as if to steady himself.

"That question..." — he looked at Yugi, his eyes no longer sharp, only distant — "you are the first to ever ask me that."

"If you don't want to answer, that's fine. I know you are Atem, and that's enough."

Atem sighed softly, shaking his head slowly.

"I... was like you once, Yugi."

His voice deepened, echoing in the quiet room.

"I once had a loving family, trusted friends, and a future waiting. I was not a monster, I... was human, and I was the future of a kingdom."

"I was also a prince."

Yugi's eyes widened in surprise. He had always thought Atem had a royal air, but he hadn't expected... it to be true.

Atem gave a small, wry smile, as if mocking himself.

"Strange, isn't it?"

"I think so too. All these years, I've kept asking myself: in the end, where did we go wrong? Why did everything end like this..."

He frowned, his eyes still heavy with sadness and tinged with anger.

"We didn't do anything, Yugi. We were only trying to live well, but that man..." Atem enunciated sharply.

"The cursed gift he sent... it was our blood and tears, my family's blood and tears. He's the reason I've been exiled to the bottom of the sea for hundreds of years."

Atem clenched his hands, lowering his face. His voice trembled, as if about to break.

"He turned me into this — half human, half demon. A form terrifying to anyone... even to myself."

Yugi was silent, speechless.

Those red eyes stared intensely at him, full of pain.

"What did we do to deserve that? What did I do to him to be cursed with disgust and rejection, when we always treated him well with all our hearts?"

Yugi remained quiet, his heart feeling painfully constricted. He swallowed back the tears welling up, knowing... the one who should be crying was not him.

Atem tilted his head back, laughing bitterly.

"That man... now what is he? Omnipotent mage, savior, great god. Ridiculous — after all he caused, he can still wear the guise of light and kindness."

"And I only know how to hide here, curled in the darkness like a pitiful coward."

Yugi asked softly:

"But if you were a prince, why are there no records, why did no one suspect when you disappeared?"

Atem smiled again, a sad, painful smile.

"Do you know the most desperate thing in life?"

He paused, then almost whispered:

"To be forgotten."

"No one remembers who I am, no one remembers me at all. In this world, the name Atem never existed."

Yugi was surprised. He hadn't expected something like that could happen.

"Dark magic?"

Atem nodded.

"An ancient, powerful spell. And when I returned... everything was already too late."

"Then why didn't you take revenge back then, why wait until now?" Yugi frowned, confused.

Atem bowed his head, his voice hoarse.

"I planned it that way."

He paused. The pain was evident in his eyes.

" But I cant"

"Darkness cannot defeat light. That's why he drained all the light from me and replaced it with this gloomy darkness. He knew, that way I could never fight back."

The fragmented memories in Yugi suddenly connected. He understood — why Atem always loved light yet rarely stepped outside. Even in sunlit rooms, he never let the light truly touch him. The reason he often seemed absent-minded, the emptiness in those eyes, and the loneliness present from the moment Yugi first met him — all made sense.

Atem... this is how he had lived all those years.

"Furthermore..." Atem lowered his head, as if hiding something heavier than hatred.

"From the start, he never intended to spare me."

"Darkness gradually devours the soul of its bearer, bit by bit, until nothing remains but void. And when that moment comes...

... I will completely lose my humanity, my consciousness, leaving only a mindless monster."

Then, as if remembering something, he let out a small laugh. Today was probably the most Yugi had ever seen him smile, but in that smile there was only bitterness and irony, layer upon layer, filled with endless pain.

"And then, I would become a perfect offering for the darkness... or simply a foolish instrument of destruction. I would be his eternal slave."

Atem looked at Yugi, and for the first time in a long while, his eyes reflected a different emotion.

"I am pitiful, aren't I?"

"Don't say that about yourself." Yugi's eyes were red, but he did not cry. He shouldn't cry.

A gentle hand lightly stroked his hair. Atem smiled and said:

"If you want to cry, just cry. Don't try to hold it back. You look funny like that."

Yugi knew he was just comforting him, but his heart still ached. He shouldn't be laughing like that.

Atem withdrew his hand and continued:

"This will probably be the last time I confront him. I will defeat him, but not with this darkness — with my true power, the power that has always been mine."

"A different power?" Yugi tilted his head, not fully understanding.

"Light. Pure and clear light. Though it's gone, I can restore part of it... it will just be very difficult."

"...So you've been waiting?"

"Yes." He answered softly. "Just once, a light strong enough to end everything, once and for all."

"And if that light doesn't come?"

Atem smiled faintly, a vague but sad smile:

"Then I will continue sinking... and perhaps, when we meet again, I won't even remember who I am."

A heavy silence fell, only the wind softly whispering through.

"Is there... anything I can do to help?" — Yugi spoke cautiously, afraid of breaking the quiet.

Atem only shook his head, his warm hand gently stroking Yugi's hair.

"This is my path. I have to walk it alone. You live as you always have... don't let yourself be dragged into this filth."

"What are you saying?" — Yugi swatted his hand away.

"I may not support killing, but I'm not naive. Besides, we are one — if you die, I die, I must look after you. I will help you." Yugi declared loudly.

"You always take all the bad things upon yourself, unnecessarily. You are much better than how you see yourself.

And I think... I can help you with that."

Atem tilted his head, a bit puzzled.

Yugi seemed to have found something and gave a bright smile.

"I'm weak, I don't have the power to help you, but I can still be by your side. I can always remind you of the good things, in you and in this world. Who knows, maybe it will help the light return faster?"

Atem didn't respond.

Silence.

Then he laughed.

"Foolish."

"Hey!" — Yugi pouted. "I can do it, just wait and see!"

Atem still smiled, his gaze on Yugi like he had just awakened from a long sleep. A faint glimmer passed through his tired red eyes — and this time, it finally remained.