When Téa returned back to the present, there was no trace of the Spell Thieves thankfully. Téa went straight home, half looking over her shoulder all the way from her location to her house. Once Téa got inside, Téa locked the door and let out a deep sigh. Téa was worried about her parents seeing her like this, they would definitely freak out but on further inspection, the house was in total silence.
"Mom? Dad? Are you home?" Téa asked with no reply whatsoever.
The only sound came from the phone receiver, there was a message left and Téa pushed the button to play it on.
"Hey honey," her mother began. "We had to hurry to the airport, an important business meeting came up and we had to leave without notice. I'm so sorry Téa baby. You weren't home when we received the notification. Dad and I will keep in touch and we'll come to see you again as soon as we can. We love you, bye!" Téa turned the voicemail off.
It was nothing unusual with her family. Téa had been like this for years, but it still hurt to be so lonely. Maybe that was why Téa was so attached to Atem; Téa was practically alone most of the time and losing him was all the more devastating. At least, Téa did not worry about them finding out about the mess Téa was currently in. With a last look towards the phone, Téa went to the bathroom for a shower and an inspection of the damage.
Her clothes were torn at places and were definitely dirty; her top had even some bloodstain. Nope, all of this was going in the bin. Téa took off her clothes and grabbed a towel from her room before going into the bathroom. Téa stopped to inspect herself in front of the mirror – she had some minor injuries here and there that were going to heal but her ribs were slightly bruised from being thrown at a wall. Frowning at her reflection, Téa turned on the water and rushed inside the cabin a few seconds later. The hot water did miracles for her sore body along with lashing all traces of the previous encounters. A sullen expression made its way to her face – it was washing all of Atem too. Her tears melted in the way but the ones in her heart stayed as always. Closing her eyes, Téa imagined the kisses with Atem and being in his arms again. Hugging herself, Téa leaned at the wall sobbing.
*
Atem went to find Isis in her temple. Atem wasn't sure if Isis could do anything, but he had an idea. Atem just had to do it. The High Priestess was in her usual sanctuary, that was her own afterlife as it seemed. Even without the powers of the Necklace, Isis still knew more than what appeared on the surface.
"My Pharaoh," Isis greeted him without even looking, as Atem was saying, Isis had some other abilities.
"Isis, I need to go back to the present and help Téa. I have to make things right by helping her." Isis turned all of a sudden with a knowing expression on her face.
"I was feeling you might want to do that. Since the moment you returned, you aren't happy but once Lady Téa came, she changed it all." Her eyes softened at the young man. "I know that's your heart's desire." His pupils dilated slightly but Atem managed to hide his surprise.
"Yes, I know my soul is supposed to be here at its resting place after five thousand years but... Deep down I knew what I've always wanted was to be with her." The confession almost struck him in the chest. Atem had never expressed this loudly but here he was, finally confessing it all.
"I know, and I wish I could help you but it's beyond my powers." His brows furrowed slightly.
"Yes, that's why I intend to ask for a favour." Atem had made up his mind and he was going to do this no matter the price. Atem was going to do it for Téa.
"Be careful, my pharaoh. You know the gods never give anything without taking something in return, that's the course of nature." Isis sounded concerned.
"That's the only way and I will take my chances."
"Very well. I will know if you're successful and tell the rest." Atem nodded readily to go. "One last thing – don't worry about us, we waited for so long, even if your stay is... longer than expected, you deserve to find your own happiness. This will be here waiting for you always." Isis smiled gesturing at nothing and everything at the same time.
"Thank you," Atem said with half a whisper and left.
Atem didn't return to the palace instead went to his own sanctuary of the pharaoh. This seemed like the only right place to do what he intended to. Atem hoped they were going to be merciful and help him, it was the only way. This place reminded him of so many things. Shaking these thoughts out of his head, Atem closed his eyes and prayed as never before.
Gods of Egypt, I beg of thee, please heed my cry. I beseech thee for my plea. Please, hear out my need.
A bright light appeared out of nowhere and engulfed him. When Atem opened his eyes, he was long gone from the dusk atmosphere of the temple instead of finding himself at a place full of pure light. Looking around, Atem soon found out he was in the presence of the almighty gods of Egypt.
"We heard your plea, Atem, son of Aknamkanon." The one who spoke was Isis, the goddess of life and magic. Atem felt the need to kneel in front of these all-powerful otherworld creatures.
"I beg of you, let me return to the present and help Téa, the descendant of princess Teana."
"Why shall we do this?" the goddess asked as if in amusement.
"Because it is my fault and I have to make things right. By leaving her, I endangered her immediately, Téa was clueless of her powers and she is all alone. I beg of you to let me help her." Osiris looked all serious, his expression betraying nothing. His only chance was Isis because she was the caring goddess and loved all, only she could convince the rest to help him.
"You were given the chance to finally go to your resting place, but you seem to want to go back. The time sorceress has the power to stop this evil, it is her destiny. You did the same."
"Yes, but I was not alone." Isis looked almost liked she cared about this.
"Is that the only reason?" Atem couldn't lie, and Osiris knew it.
"No, it is not. I want to make it up for my fault, but I want to make it also because I love her, and I cannot see her getting hurt with me unable to do anything to help her while she helped me when I needed it." Atem spoke honestly and hoping they would be gracious to him.
"You did indeed do the world favour many times thus we are in debt to you." Atem couldn't hide the surprise of what he was hearing.
"For the good, you have done to us all, we shall answer your plea." His heart was leaping with joy.
"Thank you," Atem breathed out bowing his head.
"You will be given a chance to help the new time sorceress defeat the evil that has been plaguing the Earth for centuries but remember, it will only last as much."
"I understand and that is all so generous of thee." The goddess Isis smiled caringly at him, but her husband Osiris interrupted the moment.
"You can go now pharaoh and do not forget this will not last forever so do not misuse our favour." Atem gulped but nodded.
"Thank you, I shall follow your will." With a wave of his hand, Osiris sent him to the place Atem was always meant to be.
Strangely, Atem felt the same way as he entered the world of his memories on his coronation day. Atem was a stranger in his own body and everything was a shock to him. Atem was familiar with the modern world from spending so much time with Yugi but it still hit him strangely to open his eyes in the new surroundings and to find himself in the world of the living once again. With a shock, Atem registered he was in his own body – no Puzzle and no Yugi, only him. That filled him with excitement. Atem also found out he was with his Egyptian garb of a Pharaoh. Okay, Atem was going to draw a lot of attention then. Hopefully, they were going to think it was a costume for a play or something. Ignoring the strange looks Atem already managed to get, Atem went for the only place he wanted to be and the person he wanted to see. With a doubled excitement, Atem almost skipped to running on the streets in his Egyptian clothing. Atem had to laugh thinking about the unusual sight he was, but his heart was full of joy and anticipation of what would follow next.
Atem remembered the way to Téa's house perfectly from his time in the puzzle with Yugi. The younger boy often walked his friend home or for some other reason. It was something Atem would always remember but this time, it was only him: no Yugi, no spirit complications, it was him in his own body. Atem felt lightheaded at the new possibilities laying ahead of him. The warning of the gods still echoed in his head that Atem should not stay longer than necessary but the latter could be interpreted. Atem wasn't going to cheat but they didn't say how Atem can spend his time in here while helping Téa. Atem chuckled to himself, probably Atem had gotten some of Yugi's mischievousness. Ra knew Yugi had one big impish side to him and Atem had been at the receiving end more than once. His legs carried him to Téa's home almost unconsciously, Atem realised it when he was in front of the very door. Atem gulped, that was it. Gods, Atem wanted to see her so badly, Atem already missed everything about her. Gathering all his courage, Atem rang the bell. When no one answered at first, Atem began to worry but then he heard footsteps from the inside and Téa's cheerful voice. Once Téa opened the door, the time froze, and they only stared at each other.
Téa had just finished with her shower and her hair was partly still damp when she heard the bell. Téa didn't expect anyone so that confused her a bit. Was one of her friends coming by to check on her? The last time Téa saw them, they seemed to be worried about her well-being. Téa felt better than before but thanks to seeing Atem again, not by any miracle recovery from her heartache. Téa went to see who it was; once Téa opened the door, she was awestruck. This wasn't possible, it couldn't be. Atem couldn't be in the present, Atem was... Her eyes watered, and Téa found herself getting angry.
"Yugi, this isn't funny." Téa burst out but Yugi-Atem looked confused at first then he seemed worried.
"It's me Téa, not Yugi, only me." His baritone voice was still the same, he was taller than her and definitely than Yugi. He definitely looked like Atem but how?
"A-Atem but..." Téa was so perplexed.
"Shh, it's okay. I'll explain but it's me, my dear Téa." A few tears escaped her eyes when Téa threw herself in his arms.
"Atem!" was it really possible for her dream to be finally coming true? Was Atem coming back for real?
They embraced at the doorway for a while, feeling each other really for the first time. They had embraced in the afterlife and before but nothing like that. It wasn't a friendship hug nor one in another dimension; it was one of two people in love. Finally, they moved apart and Téa let him in. Téa invited him to the living room, and they sat on the couch ready for him to explain it all.
"I asked the gods for a favour and they let me come back and help you." Atem began.
"So, you're here to stay?" Téa asked hopefully but his look said it all.
"I'm afraid not, my love. It's only temporary until this evil is gone. That's why I'm here." Her expression became a sullen one and his heart ached to see her sad. Atem lifted Téa's chin gently looking at her with loving eyes. "I might be here only for a short while, but we will make sure to treasure every moment of it." Téa only nodded, and Atem leaned closer, meeting his lips with hers.
It was a bittersweet kiss but one they both had wanted for a very long time. Téa gave in to his embrace entangling her arms around his neck with one hand in his gorgeous tri-coloured hair. This was bliss and as Atem said, Téa was going to make all of it count. They parted only because the need for air prevailed but not for long.
"I love you, Téa." his thumbs fondling her sides.
"I love you too, Atem," Téa replied back then hugged him, relaxing her hand onto his chest.
It was a moment stolen from paradise for both Téa and Atem. Téa felt safe in his arms unlike anything else. Téa wasn't afraid anymore because whatever happened Téa had Atem and Atem was here. Atem's chest was full of joy and masculine content of having the petite female in his arms. For the moment, Atem and Téa stayed in each other's arms. Everything else could wait as they were the only ones that mattered in this precise whisper of time.