The stone chamber was silent, save for the echoes of footsteps and the fading hum of magic. Atem—once Pharaoh of Egypt, now the spirit of the Millennium Puzzle—stood across from his partner, his dearest friend, Yugi Muto. The duel was over. The result was clear.
Yugi had won.
The young boy's chest heaved as he clutched his Duel Disk, his hands trembling. Atem smiled gently, his crimson eyes shining with pride rather than disappointment.
"You've grown so much, Yugi," Atem said softly, his deep voice steady but touched with emotion. "From the timid boy who once needed my guidance… to the true duelist who can stand on his own."
Tears welled in Yugi's eyes. "Atem… I didn't want to say goodbye. But… I knew this day would come. I knew… that you deserved to find peace."
Their friends stood behind Yugi—Joey, Tea, Tristan, even Kaiba in his usual stoic silence. All of them watched with heavy hearts as the Pharaoh prepared to return to his rightful place in the afterlife.
Atem turned his gaze toward each of them. "Thank you. All of you. For being by our side… for helping Yugi grow, and for giving me the chance to live once more among friends. That is a gift I will treasure… for eternity."
Tea bit her lip, trying not to cry. Joey sniffed, muttering, "Man, I hate goodbyes."
Yugi stepped forward, his hands shaking as he reached out. "Will… will I ever see you again?"
Atem knelt slightly, placing a hand on Yugi's shoulder. His smile was warm, though his eyes carried the weight of countless years. "Our souls are forever connected. Even if we walk different paths… the bond we share will never be broken. When you duel, when you fight for your friends, when you stand up for what's right… I will always be with you."
The ancient stone doors began to glow. The path to the afterlife was opening. The friends' eyes widened, hearts aching as the final moment approached.
"Farewell… my partner." Atem's words echoed as he stepped into the light. Yugi cried out, "Goodbye… Atem!!"
The brilliance engulfed the Pharaoh's figure—yet, as he prepared to walk into eternal rest, something unexpected happened.
The light became overwhelming—too overwhelming. Atem frowned. This was not the calm, warm embrace of the afterlife. Instead, it felt… different. His body felt weightless, his soul adrift in a storm of energy.
Then, he heard it.
A voice.
Majestic. Timeless. Overwhelming. It was neither male nor female, but it carried infinite authority and warmth that shook Atem to his very core.
> "Pharaoh Atem…"
Atem's eyes widened. The presence was unlike anything he had ever felt—not a spirit, not a god of Egypt, but something beyond comprehension.
"Who are you?" Atem demanded, his tone regal but respectful.
The voice resonated, shaking the very fabric of his soul.
> "I am one who watches over countless worlds. You need not know my name. It is enough to know… that I have chosen you."
"Chosen me?" Atem's brow furrowed. "But my journey is complete. I dueled my partner, I fulfilled my duty, and I was ready to return to those who await me in the afterlife. Why… why bring me here?"
The divine presence pulsed gently, like a heartbeat of light.
> "Because, Pharaoh… I have watched you. I have seen how you fight—not merely with power, but with heart. How you lead—not through fear, but through trust. You are not merely a king of Egypt… you are the King of Games. One who turns fate itself into a weapon."
Atem's eyes narrowed, conflicted. "…And what would you have of me? If this is not the afterlife… then where am I being sent?"
> "A world unlike your own. A world where monsters and demons walk freely. Where dragons command storms. Where nations rise and fall in the struggle for survival. A world where strength is the only currency."
The Pharaoh was silent. His pride and will as a king would never allow him to refuse destiny—but part of him longed for peace. "…Why me?"
The voice grew warmer.
> "Because you have the mind to rule, the heart to inspire, and the soul to change destiny. This world is called the Cardinal World. And it, too, faces a future in need of one who can bend fate."
Atem clenched his fists. "And my people? My time? My home? Will I never return?"
> "When your mission is complete… you shall have the chance. But what that mission is… you must discover for yourself."
"…So I am to wander in darkness, searching for a mission I do not understand?"
> "No. You are not left without guidance. As you step into this world, you will be granted new powers—reflections of who you are, reshaped for a world of magic. They will dwell within your body, mind, and soul, becoming one with you. Pharaoh Atem… receive your gifts."
Suddenly, another voice rang out in Atem's mind. This one was mechanical, almost like a machine, yet clear and direct.
> "Requirements fulfilled. Granting Unique Skill: King of Games."
Atem gasped as light swirled into his chest, his heartbeat thundering. Knowledge filled his mind—strategies, odds, shifting probabilities. It was as if the entire battlefield of life had turned into a duel arena.
Effect: Strategy Mastery, Probability Manipulation, Binding Duels.
He could see moves before they happened, calculate outcomes in a fraction of a second, and force opponents into one-on-one clashes bound by rules of fate.
Summon Soul Guardians – Atem can call forth the spirits of his deck to fight on his behalf. These manifestations are not illusions—they are spirit-beings woven from his magicules. The strength of each depends on his willpower and energy.
Basic Summons: Dark Magician, Kuriboh, Celtic Guardian, etc.
Advanced Summons: Buster Blader, Dark Magician Girl, Summoned Skull.
God-Tier Summons (requires evolution): Obelisk the Tormentor, Slifer the Sky Dragon, The Winged Dragon of Ra. All the summoning strength depend on Atem magicule level...
"…It feels like my mind has sharpened," Atem murmured. "Every possibility… every path… laid out before me like cards in my hand."
Another surge of light.
> "Granting Unique Skill: Millennium Soul."
A golden warmth spread through his body, settling deep in his spirit. Atem gasped as he felt the connection—to spirits, to memories, even to the shadow realm itself. He could hear faint whispers, echoes of ancient souls.
Effect: Spirit communication, sealing and unsealing powers, resistance to soul manipulation.
Devourer of Souls – Any monster or opponent slain by Atem has its essence absorbed into his spirit-deck. Their strength is converted into his own growth, increasing his base stats and magical energy.
Spirit Deck of Eternity – Souls of slain foes can be transformed into cards in his deck, allowing Atem to summon them as loyal spirit-warriors. These monsters are not simple illusions—they retain fragments of their original power and will, now bound to Atem as eternal guardians.
His eyes glowed briefly. "The souls… they speak. I can feel their strength, their sorrow, their guidance. I am more than flesh—I am Pharaoh, body and spirit united."
The voice continued:
> "Granting Unique Skill: Pharaoh's Authority."
A tidal wave of pressure burst from Atem's chest. His aura flared, regal and commanding. It was overwhelming, the kind of presence that made men kneel and beasts bow. His very soul carried the weight of a ruler.
Effect: Natural charisma, absolute command presence, authority over allies and enemies alike.
Atem's expression grew serious. "…This… is sovereignty itself. A king's will… manifest."
But then, something else happened. The divine voice returned, resonant and powerful.
> "By request of the Supreme One, an additional skill shall be bestowed. Unique Skill: Oracle of Eternity."
This time, the sensation was not overwhelming, but deep. Atem's mind expanded, his vision stretching beyond the present. He could see threads of fate—fragile, shifting, yet tangible. His memories sharpened, every duel, every lesson, every bond engraved into eternity.
Effect: Divine insight, tactical advice, fate interpretation, memory recall, analysis of laws and contracts.
Atem staggered, clutching his chest. "…This… this power… it is as if the gods themselves whisper in my ear, guiding my path."
The divine voice spoke one final time:
> "Go forth, Pharaoh Atem. Bear your skills with pride. The world you enter will not welcome you easily. But remember… even in the darkest duel, your light can change destiny. Now… awaken."
And with that, the light consumed him. Atem felt his body solidify, his feet touch strange earth. A new world awaited him.