Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Royalty ❯ Epilogue ( Chapter 24 )

~Epilogue~

Malik and Bakura had left immediately the next day on horse, silently; for they knew they would hesitate if they saw Ryou's tear stained face one more time.

Ryou was almost thankful for their actions, though he had cried to Yami that night...

That was three years ago.

The pale boy grew into a beautiful young man, his features rivaling the fame of the once famous Ishtar brothers.

During the long months of the Nile crisis, Ryou spent his time in the healing chambers, reading every scroll that Jounouchi had left for him, engrossed in the world of medication and spells. He carried the fallen healer's name with honour, learning all that was left to offer by the blonde.

Jounouchi remained the best healer in the kingdom in honour of his memory, and Ryou became known as the slave whom was freed by the Pharaoh to work his miracles, for his learning ability exceeded all people.

Soon after the Nile crisis, one day when the pale young man was receiving his herbs from young Shizuka, he saw a small slave boy playing happily in the palace gardens. Remembering Bane, he requested Yami to search for the boy he had taken care of in the slave trade.

When the news came back, it was learned that the small child was playing near the banks of the Nile much to his new mother's fear, when the wet earth broke beneath him. He was never found.

For days Ryou cried, grieving for the young boy who lived his five year life so short and even shorter in freedom.

The whereabouts of Bakura and his Egyptian lover remained unknown, for they flew wild and free in the sands of the desert. They would live off plants and small animals, the white haired man teaching his younger lover the ways that his tribe would have lived.

When times became needy, Bakura, honed with skills in thievery, raided others who ventured into the desert. No one made a move to stop him, for it soon became known that the desert thief only stole from thieves themselves.

A legend began to float around that there was a cloaked young man with hair and skin as shockingly pale as the healer of the palace, sometimes followed by a strikingly exotic Egyptian with golden hair, whom was a thief of thieves.

Yami continued to serve as the Pharaoh. There were no more attempts to steal the throne, for the man's wisdom and judgment earned the loyalty of his kingdom far and wide; it was said that he was the Pharaoh truly sent by the gods. Although it was never said out loud the citizens knew of the special bond he shared with the quiet healer...knowing clearly that the man had released the former slave because he loved him. Because of the king's actions, he gained even more respect from his people.

For a long period of time the Council rested with six...unable to find another individual who had the capacity to learn the spells...but they shared the burden responsibly, finding a way to not require a high priest...

Under the young Pharaoh's guidance...his kingdom lived little tragedies...

It was upon one day when Ryou was sitting upon the smooth stone bed in his healing chambers, reminiscing about his past, recalling the times he and his close friends had shared in the very room. As memories came silent tears slid down his cheeks…three years and he still missed them dearly…

He was startled when a large black bird landed upon his open window, and even more surprised to see a small scroll tied to the bird's leg. Carefully he freed the note and the winged creature took off.

"Strange…" he mused to himself. Tugging at the binding he unraveled the small scroll and read the message upon it.

"A thief with his lover has returned, and is hoping to find his conscience…"