Chapter 6: Practice!

                                    

                                          
Little Yugi stood out in the courtyard with Shimon. Yugi was completely determined to test out this magic and how strong he could make it!
                          
Clueless, Yugi asked, "So how do I do this?"
                          
The old man laughed. 
"All you must do is reach into your soul and let the energies flow into your system. Your mind will do the rest" he explained.
"Since you were not born with magic, it will take a couple of tries" he added.
                          
Yugi nodded his head then did what Shimon had told him.
                          
A burning sensation went throughout his body but it did not hurt. Soon it felt as if sparks were lighting into his hand. Yugi closed his eyes, focused, then let his mind do what it must. 
                          
A soft glow emerged from his hands, then swirled around his body. Yugi shot the ray of energy at the cement dummy he had made earlier which caused it to go into dust.
                          
The old man's eyes widened with awe.
                          
Yugi's body began to weaken for where he got terribly tired after that. The boy fell into the sand and sat there.
                          
The old man got up from his seat to go get the boy but an unexpected visitor had already pulled him up.
                          
"Why Mahad! It's nice to see your face again" Shimon laughed.
                          
"Well I am always busy trying to find ways for little Mana to get her spells in order" Mahad said as he looked down at the now sleeping child.
                          
"You sure it was just the necklace doing the work?" Mahad said sternly.
                          
"It is quite a surprise to see this boy use so much for a first try. Maybe he does have a tint of magic somewhere in him that we do not know about" Shimon said, thinking of reasons for Yugi.
                          
Mahad nodded with agreement. 
                          
"About the prince.. What should we do? We have no Pharaoh to rein over the land until Atem turns the age of 16" Mahad explained as he began to cradle Yugi in his arms.
                          
Shimon shook his head. 
"I am honestly clueless about that"
                          
"Well maybe you should take over" Mahad suggested.
                          
Shimon chuckled.
"Why's that? How could I possibly take his place?"
                          
"You've known him much longer then any of us... He trusted you more, you two were great friends I'm sure. And how you care for his son is astonishing" Mahad explained.
                          
"We'll be having a vote later tomorrow night, I'm sure we both know who will take his place. Now. I will take this boy up to his bedroom to rest. I'll help him practice as much as I can while also caring for Mana" As Mahad adjusted Yugi, he turned around then left.
                          
"Let us hope his brother does not win, or we will all be doomed" Shimon sighed as he walked off in the opposite direction.
                          
....
                          
As Mahad entered the castle, the young prince was standing there, his back against the wall. 
                          
"My prince, what can I do for you?" Mahad questioned.
                          
"What happened to Yugi?" He asked coldly. Then he noticed the new accessory Yugi was wearing. 
                          
"What's that?"
                          
Mahad cleared his throat.
                          
"While you now have the millennium puzzle, Shimon and your father had made something similar for this young boy" Mahad said.
                          
Atem looked away at the mentioning of his father.
                          
"Yugi possesses a magic power that will defeat the darkness in the upcoming years but he must learn how to use and control it"
                          
Atem tilted his head.
"So this power he has.. Did it make him tired, is that why he is asleep?"
                          
"Yes my Prince"
                          
Atem began to tap his foot. "Very well. I will see you at dinner I assume" 
                          
Mahad nodded. Atem turned away then took off running. 
                          
Mahad looked back at Yugi. The young boy started to clench his hands on the wizard's clothing, his face looked pained.
                          
"Seems you are having a nightmare. I can do something about that, do not worry" 
                          
....
                          
As they entered Yugi's room, Mahad placed him in bed then tucked him in.
Yugi awoken, his eyes adjusted onto Mahad.
                          
"Go back to bed" he ordered.
"You'll need as much rest as you can get for tomorrow"
                          
Yugi fell silent. He was going to ask about the prince but he couldn't. 
                          
"You seem upset, what is the matter?" 
                          
Yugi sighed. "Just thinking of the prince"
                          
"Don't let it get to you. Give him time, he'll apologize soon enough" Mahad made a small smile.
                          
"How about this, we'll go get dinner then try to make things better" Mahad suggested.
                          
"Erm.. But what if he gets angry?" Yugi asked hesitantly. 
                          
"Then I'll step in" Mahad sighed after that.
"What he said is hurting you, you're not really focusing on things but more of day dreaming"
                          
Yugi lowered his head.
                          
"Let's go" 
                          
Yugi jumped out of his bed then followed Mahad to the dining area.
Atem who was already there didn't bother to pay attention to their arrival.
                          
"Go on" Mahad encouraged.
                          
Yugi tiptoed his way over then took a deep breath.
                          
"Uhm.. Y-Your h-highness.."
                          
Atem glanced at Yugi.
"What? I don't want to speak to you"
                          
"I.. I know. I heard you. I was there when you said that. But I just wanted to say that you are not the only one who knows what it is like to lose your parents unexpectedly.. But you must learn to stay strong for them. That is all and.. This will be the last time you hear from me I suppose.." Yugi turned away then grabbed his plate and drink off the table, everyone's eyes were on him. Akhenaden was grinning.
                          
"Mahad, I will be out in the courtyard for now, alone" he whispered as he left the room.
                          
...
                          
Yugi sat in the sand, thinking. He traced the triangular shape of his small necklace then smiled.
                          
He got up from the ground, taking a piece of a sliced tomato with him. He popped the tomato in his mouth then swallowed.
                          
"Let's do this!"
                          
...
                          
For the entire night, Yugi kept using that new magic of his. No matter how tired he was, he kept on going. This time he started out small but slowly used more and more until his body has gone to its limits.
                          
Young Atem watched from the balcony that was in Yugi's office. 
                          
"Yugi is full of surprises. But he is right, I must stay strong for the ones who are gone.. And I mustn't blame him for his death.."
                          
The war will begin soon
                          
I must be ready