The truth of the heart

My night had been freezing. I woke up several times, with thoughts lingering all the time, not letting my mind relax. After long and torturous hours trying to sleep, the sun came up and I got up, since I couldn't stay in bed anyway. I had breakfast with my grandfather, who also woke up early and went back to the room, a little lazy and sly. In a few minutes the phone rang and I promptly answered it.

- Hello?

- Yugi. - The voice on the other side was childish and familiar - Sorry if I woke you up.

- Mokuba ??? - I finally recognized the voice of Kaiba's brother on the other end of the line. - No ... no problem, I was awake.

- Oh great. I would have called Joey, but I preferred to speak with you in person.

- Something happened??? Is your brother okay? My voice came out in a tone of concern.

- That's why I called you - He paused - He hasn't woken up yet. I don't know what happened for sure, but that way we will have to cancel the tournament.

- Kaiba would be furious about that Mokuba. Leave the tournament, it will still be a long time before the finals, the duelists will take a few more days. - My voice comes out firmly, but I was shaking inside. Hadn't Kaiba woken up? That was awful. - Please accept my help.

- I don't know Yugi, I think there's no way you can help him. He's unconscious ... after all, can you tell me why he got like this?

- Actually - I said a little afraid - I don't know for sure either. I think something bad is happening to my millennium relic. I'm sorry, I didn't want him to be like that.

- I believe in you Yugi, but even so, I'm worried.

- He'll be fine, I promise you. If you can help with anything Mokuba, let me know.

- Okay, just keep an eye on the duelists for me. I will take care of my brother. Even more Yugi.

I hung up the phone and sat on the bed for a while, grinding the information. My conscience was beginning to weigh. If I hadn't gotten in the car, none of this would have happened. I feel more apprehensive about Pharaoh too, he doesn't answer me, what is going on?

Anyway, that afternoon, Joey, Téa and Tristan came home. Joey and I decided that we were going to tell Kaiba what happened, because it looked like it was more serious than we thought. When we finished the story Téa seemed full of doubts and her expression showed her concern. His teary eyes turned to me.

- Yugi ... this creature ... was Atem?

- I don't know Téa. I'm also worried, but he doesn't answer me. It is as if he is unconscious. I don't even feel your presence near me. My eyes looked away from Joey, who was frowning sadly.

- We need to do something then! He could be in danger ...- Téa spoke in an almost desperate tone.

- But what can we do? In addition to only Yugi being able to enter Pharaoh's home, we have already been to the millennium once and I don't know if it is safe for Yugi to be wandering there without Atem's presence. - Tristan said calmly and looked sadly at Téa who cowered in the chair.

- Don't worry, Téa. I put my hand lightly on the girl's shoulder and looked at her tenderly. - I want to save Atem as much as you do, and I promise I will do anything.

Téa smiled slightly and nodded. After a few more discussions, the staff decided to sleep at home, putting the tournament aside for the sake of more important matters. Also, under Kaiba's conditions, I doubt anyone was in the mood for duels, even Joey, who looked so excited the day before, seemed to lose his sparkle in his eyes.

I lay in bed, but the night had been turbulent. I couldn't sleep, my mind was so full of thoughts and sensations. When I thought I was finally asleep, I woke up. But it wasn't in my room. The familiar somewhat morbid and old beige walls made my muscles tense. Was he having another nightmare? But that was not it, I was aware. I was really into the millennium.

I looked around the place and began to move forward in a fearful way, fearing to come across something scary. After a short walk, being close to the first stairs, I heard a voice coming from the background, in an imperative tone, as if fighting with something or pleading impatiently.

- Stop this! - The voice resonated throughout the place until it disappeared completely.

- Pharaoh??? - Said, recognizing his voice immediately. - Where are you, Pharaoh?

I walked up the stairs, and now I looked at all the doors that followed the confusing and endless corridors. The voice came again, this time closer, in a growl.

- Pharaoh!

And then, I started running, knowing he was close. And at the end of the corridor, there he was. Thrown to the ground, on my knees, with my hand on my head frantically shifting my fingers, I could recognize his weakened image. My eyes were filled with astonishment to see him that way. He even grabbed his hair before turning his lilac eyes in my direction.

- Yugi? - He asked in a surprised way and took his hands off his head in a quick gesture. - What are you doing here? You shouldn't be here ...

- My mind transported me here. You once said that when my thoughts are agitated I came into the millennium. I paused, looking at him fearfully. - You didn't answer me, I'm worried ... what-

- You have to get out of here now. It's very dangerous. - He interrupted me, walked towards me and pulled my wrist, pulling me out of the hall.

- What's happening? I asked quickly as he looked around cautiously and guided me up the stairs. - Atem! - I called him imperatively and stopped walking, refusing to go through the corridors without getting answers.

His slim figure turned to me quickly, and he looked at me reproachfully. Despite his closed expression, he could feel a strange melancholy in his eyes, one he had never seen in him. Always with his proud posture, his shrewd eyes and the singing smile. Seeing him like that made me even more apprehensive. Something very strange was going on.

- Yugi, I promise to tell you later. But you need to leave now .... I beg you. - He failed in the last words and his eyes looked at me with such intensity that I ended up nodding.

He sighed and turned his body in the opposite direction. He thought for a while and then muttered something under his breath, I think it was a curse. Then he turned to me, who was confused, and put his hands on his hips.

- I think you will only leave if your mind settles down. He frowned slightly.

- I just need to know if you're okay. You showed up yesterday, and it was totally different ... I just want to know what's going on to help you! - I approached him and took his hands, joining them in a grip with mine.

- Do not touch me! He quickly removed his hands and took a few steps back, now holding his head again and gritting his teeth.

- Atem? - I watched him squirm as before.

And then, his eyes turned to me. The red eyes. He quickly capped it and squirmed again, as if trying to pin something or make it go away. I was watching the scene, unable to move. It was like reliving my nightmare. I let go of that feeling, I had to save him this time. I walked quickly towards him and took his shoulders and looked at him.

- Pharaoh! It's okay ... look at me. - I pulled his face with his eyes closed towards me delicately.

Her lilac irises stared back at me, filled with fear. Just seeing that his eyes were back to normal, I felt a sigh of relief escape my lips. Atem's trembling hands fell on my arms.

- I'm sorry Yugi ... this is all my fault. - The words came out steady even in that state.

- It's okay, Pharaoh. You know you can tell me, right? - The words sounded familiar, the same ones he had said to me when my nightmares began. He made a surprised face and then gave a slight smile.

- Sorry Yugi ...- he frowned, getting up and taking a few steps back.

My mind was soon disconnected from the millennium and floated back into the void of my sleep. I just woke up the next day, with Téa's tender voice, who warned me about new news about Kaiba.