"They're still here." Zahra's hand instinctively moves to the puzzle as they look down, pondering how to explain their existence to Joey. Even after all this time, Zahra hardly understands themself, let alone how to communicate their state of being to other people. "We first started merging after the duel with Pegasus. Mind Switch took a toll on Atem and Anzu; although I imagine it was easier for Yugi on your world since he and Atem were meant to be partners. Things just got worse and worse after that. They lost track of who was who sometimes, and I came into being for... brief moments. When they weren't paying attention, when they were fighting for their lives.

"But what sealed the deal was the Battle City finals. Getting hit by Ra so many times, all that power, it... permanently fused them. I was confused and scared and then the world fucking," language, Zahra, "ended for a year and I was terrified about what everyone else would think if they knew I was me and not Anzu and everybody did freak out when Rafael proved it to them and-" They choke back a hoarse laugh. "Shizuka is what saved all of us, in the end. Because of her, I figured out a way to unfuse, and I was willing to let go, but... Anzu and Atem liked being me. It feels... like I'm 150% of Anzu and 150% of Atem and 200% me, entirely separate from both of them. They're still there, and I'm still me, and they can unfuse but they just don't want to.

"I know that doesn't make sense, but it's the only way that I can describe it."