all disclaimers apply

' = Yugi speaking in soul room

/ = Yami speaking in soul room

Most of the trekking progressed in silence. On occasion there would be an utterance or two from Sugoroku Motou about the intricate writings and carvings that silently crept along the walls. There was a tale to be told here, that was for certain and from some of the beautiful yet eerie scenes within the cavern, it wasn't all good.

"Demonic."

"What grandpa?" Yugi asked as he heard his grandfather speak, but was hoping he didn't hear the word correctly.

"The mural here and here, speak of monsters with untold strength."

"The ancient duel monsters as Yami had spoke of before. The monsters were real back then, aided by magic. We know all this grandpa."

"Another dimension of magic. Not what our pharonic friend was aware of. Perhaps a higher level attained."

"But by whom!? Yami was one of the strongest magic users and he remained undefeated."

"Or so we've been told. Undefeated can also mean stalemates Yugi. Ties don't go on record. But these murals don't speak of our pharaoh."

"They don't!?" Yugi said stupified as ever.

"After his time. Of a throne in disarray."

Marik stepped over and entered into the conversation between grandfather and grandson. "Yes, that is part of this mystery, why I brought you here. I too, read these, but I wanted others to see it too, to assure myself I had read and translated correctly."

All progressed more slowly as Sugoroku continued to read the murals in torchlight. "If I'm putting all the pieces together correctly, our pharaoh-friend was unknowingly one step ahead. If he didn't know then someone else within his realm did. The King of Games had another powerful player on his side that saw beyond him."

"His own blood." Marik replied quietly. "Mother knows best."

All stared at the young Egyptian tomb keeper increduously.

Marik chuckled softly. "Come, there's more to this amazing tale. It only gets better from this point on."

As they walked, Yugi spoke to Yami within the soul room.

'Hear that Yami? Your mother?'

/Yes. She has appeared in my recent visions and dreams. I cannot see her face, but somehow I know it's her. The dreams I've been having seem have striking correlations to the tales upon these walls. Now I fear that they were not merely dreams, but of my ancient reality./

'That's good isn't it Yami? I mean, it means you're recollecting your past memories. That is a good thing right?'

/That's just it aibou. I'm not so sure./

Yugi gulped. He hated it when the pharaoh was so uncertain. It usually meant that some sort of danger awaited them. But like all the incidents before, Yugi met them head-on albeit reluctantly.

Onward they trekked until suddently, within the torchlight, the cramped passageway opened into a grand chambers. The view put all in awe of the spectacle before them, even ones who had been there before. From the dim lighting they could also see several antechambers. Gold trimming shimmered in the firelight and revealed a regal and nobel existence. Even more grand paintings and murals graced the walls with vibrant colors and bold lines. Smooth, shining marble contrasted with the dull sandy granite. Huge golden statues guarded the other riches placed neatly around the chambers. Precious silver and gems adorned still other golden entities...representatives of the gods themselves. This was an untouched afterlife abode of a powerful royal queen...and meant to be respected to its utmost.

Ancient Egypt...

The sailed onward for several days. Anhur continued to make monumental progress in healing, thanks to Qeb's medical and magical expertise. True to his father's traits, he was becoming curious and anxious.

"Where are we going anyway? We are not in Egypt anymore."

"Clever observation my restless young friend. We are in Kush. We will disembark upon arriving in Punt."

"Upper Nubia!? Why!?"

"Because you've wove a tangled web. We need to let the spiders calm down. Right now, Egypt is not a safe place for injured upstarts such as yourself."

"I MUST go back! I will NOT lose to that rat who calls himself a prince of Egypt!"

"And this air of recklessness will have you killed before you obtain your objective. Be reasonable son of Atemu...your time will come. But it is not now."

Anhur sighed deeply and turned to gaze outward beyond the ship's bow. He calmed himself and spoke rationally. "Qeb, I thank you for all you've done for me though I cannot recall much of it. But I must ask this...why are we in Nubia and going to Punt?"

"Nubian warriors and trackers are far superior to Egypt's. It is why we utilize them so. Combined with your magical knowledge, we will make you a warrior rather than a whelp with a rebellious streak."

"I am NOT a whelp!"

"You whine like one."

While the two men continued their conversation, Kashir returned from her exploration of the ship's galley. She was returning with a small tray of food for them. "Bickering as usual. I guess Anhur is feeling like his normal self again hmm?" she teased as both males ceased their conversation to look upon her.

Anhur's devious smirk grew into an amused grin as he approached her and grabbed a piece of bread from the tray. "Thanks for saving me. I guess I owe you yet another debt. You royals can be so expensive sometimes!" Anhur replied softly.

"Remind me of that when this child is born. I may ask for your balls yet, son of Atemu."

Anhur gulped and bowed in amusement. "Yes m'lady. My balls are at your service. Just please don't remove them from their position of doing so."

Kashir giggled. "You...are one slick jackal you know that?"

"All too well. And one thing a jackal does well is improvise."

Qeb smiled. Ah, to be young and in love. But the young ones' conversation did indeed remind him of yet another issue at hand. Kashir was with child...and it wasn't the prince's. Atemu's bloodline had the consistent trait of unusual features in hair and eyes. It would be difficult to hide the child of said bloodline, especially from the bland features of the Set bloodline. Aside from their sapphire eyes and lankiness, the Set bloodline was rather common in appearance. No wild hair, no strange colors or spikes, nothing like the bloodline before them. It was indeed strange that the two bloodlines were actually related to each other yet so distinct in appearance and behaviors.

"Well, jackal, you'll need to save your best tricks for last. It will not be long before Egypt's royalty realizes we are no longer in Egypt. We may be out of the cobra's nest, but that doesn't stop the snake from hunting. No doubt someone will inform him of us boarding a ship bound upriver." Qeb noted as the two young lovers joined him at watching the mighty Aten retreat below the horizon once again.

"No matter. I will run no further. Even Egypt's royalty can assume I will return. It is my home and my rightful place. I will restore my father's name and pride if it is the last thing I ever do."

"And that is why we are now in Nubia. To be sure your death isn't premature oh careless one." Qeb returned.

Kashir giggled silently. Anhur had met his match in old Qeb. The two would bring out the best and worst of each other. She just knew it. Anhur would be shaped into a mighty warrior...perhaps stronger than his father ever was. Anhur was already beyond his father in living years. Nobody knew to what extent Atemu's powers and abilities would've been had he lived beyond middle adolescence. Perhaps Anhur would reveal some of that potential within himself.

Back in Egypt...

"A ship!? TO WHERE!?" Sethos demanded as he nearly choked the peasant informant.

"I don't sire. It left port in the direction of upriver though. I'm a merchant and loaded some cargo on it myself. I believe one stop is somewhere in Nubia."

"Fool! Nubia is as vast as the desert is wide!"

"Yes my prince."

A moment of silence interrupted the conversation. "You have done well friend and will be paid well for your efforts. A prime location in the Theben marketplace perhaps?"

"You are most gracious sire."

"It will be done. You may go."

"Thank you sire. May Ra guide you always sire." the peasant bowed and quickly exited the chambers.

Sethos returned to the throne room. "Father, may I speak with you privately for a moment?"

Pharaoh Set nodded and stepped away from the throne. "What bothers you son?"

"That upstart Jackal that escaped our confines survived. I have reason to believe he is in Nubia at this time."

"He is no threat to us there."

"But as long as he lives, he will always be a threat father."

"Yes, and he will return. Let him come to us. No need to waste our own resources in a chase that has a final destination to the place where we currently stand."

"But he might grow stronger father! He is with that old eunuch whose magic is also strong!"

"Then perhaps you should quit complaining and start training yourself. This fight is not mine, but yours. I will not save you a second time. If you are to one day rule this kingdom, you must fight your own battles."

"Then allow me to track him in Nubia!"

"Denied."

"I don't understand. You say fight my own battles. You say, strike an enemy at his weakest hour. That time is NOW!"

"You missed his weakest hour son. You should have finished him after my Blue Eyes attacked. And yet you didn't. Your loss and concern. Not one of mine. Now, return to your training so that you will be more of a match for this upstart than you currently are. I will hear no more of this subject matter."

"Yes father."

"Oh and if I hear that you or any of our troops have entered Nubian borders, I will be sure you PERSONALLY feel what it is like to disobey the king of this land! Even my own son is not above the laws of the king."

"Yes father. I will bother you no more. Thank you for your wisdom and guidance." Sethos replied as he bowed respectfully and departed. He seethed within. His father did not understand! The Jackal was not one you gave space and time to. If not constantly pressured, he could become a very real threat. His bloodline was proof enough of that. No, his father was wrong. This was not a matter to be taken lightly and patiently waited out. If it was a game the Jackal wanted, it would be a game he would get. Risks would be taken on both sides.

Silently, Sethos slipped a message to contacts within the village. His father said that he himself nor any troops could enter Nubian borders, but he said nothing about mercenaries or bounty hunters. If paid well, these beings were worth their weight in gold, many were burly old warriors or ones that were just too ruthless to be within the ranks. They would keep the jackal on his toes and if lady luck was on their side, return with his head in a burlap bag. But as every gamer knows, it is also best to prepare oneself for the ultimate showdown...just in case. Sethos sought out his finest socerers to commence training on a higher level.

to be continued...