Edit 9/18/05:I changed the lyrics at the beginning, since I think this fits the fic better. I also did a bit of tweaking, but nothing really important, so you don't have to read it over again. :)
Disclaimer: I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh. Be grateful for it. Neither do I claim rights to "Eternal Flame", by Atomic Kitten.
Author's Note: Just a few words of explanation. Feel free to skip it.
This fic is in three parts, with anywhere between one and ten chapters for each. The story was inspired by a random high that came over me due to insomnia...and because of the blasted writers of YGO who made it so freakin' easy to write yaoi. Not that I object to yaoi in any way -- I read that stuff quite a lot these days.
To clarify for this chapter: Seto equals Priest Seto, Ishizu Priest equals Ishizu, etc., because I am not going to be bothered with typing out 'Priest' every time I want to mention someone.
And for those of you going "But Priest Seto and Atem are cousins!", well, I'm sure cousins married cousins in Ancient Egypt. That's just how ancient civilizations worked, ne?
For a last note, I'm going by the English version here, meaning all the names, places, dates and ages are from the English version. Therefore Set is now Priest Seto (just because Idon't particularly like thename Set...) I know they're "wrong" compared with the Japanese version, but if you're going to argue canon, then I suggest you try a YGO forum instead.
I'm sure you're all sick of my rambling, so here's the fic...
Across the Millennia
Part One: Ancient Egypt
- - - - -
Close your eyes
Give me your hand, darling
Do you feel my heart beating?
Do you understand?
Do you feel the same?
Am I only dreaming
or is this burning, an eternal flame?
The blazing sun glinted off the sands of the desert as a small procession made its way down a long sand dune. Heat waves rose in shimmering myriads, dazzling the eyes and disorienting the senses. Riding at the head of the column was Priest Seto, viewing the surroundings with his hawk-like gaze. Not a single detail escaped his keen eyes, and though he saw nothing out of the ordinary (that is, nothing but sand, wind, and more sand), a feeling of great unease struck his heart.
The Millennium Rod gleamed momentarily in his hand, and he knew that the feeling was more than just paranoia. Something was about to happen, something bad, and soon.
He glanced around again, and as before, he saw nothing unusual. But the feeling persisted and grew with each passing moment. Reigning in his mount, he held up his hand and called for a halt.
Seto may not have had the foresight that Priest Ishizu possessed through her Millennium Tauk, but when his Rod gave him warnings, he listened. And this warning was not altogether unexpected, as he had known that this trip would be dangerous from beginning to end. Everyone knew it, and everyone acknowledged it except for Pharaoh Atem. No matter that the high priests had all but begged him to listen to sense, Atem had insisted on visiting the desert shrine, and he had insisted on only taking a few attendants with him. Luckily for all concerned, Seto had managed to convince Atem to let him go as well, along with a few bodyguards.
It was madness. Out here in the wilderness, it was the perfect place for an ambush. And with such a small group, they could be easily overwhelmed by a group of bandits, not to mention the nameless enemies the Pharaoh had...
But the bulk of the trip was over. The shrine had been reached, the shrine had been visited, and the shrine was far behind them now. They were less than half a day's march from the royal capital, but that was still too far into the desert for Seto's peace of mind.
As the entire group came to a halt at his command, Seto looked over his shoulder and saw that the Pharaoh had commanded the slaves to set down his covered sedan-chair and was getting out. Two attendants rushed to his side, but Pharaoh Atem waved them aside.
A thrill of fear ran lanced through Seto's heart. The Pharaoh should stay where he was protected, and out in the open certainly didn't qualify. Priest Seto began to call out to him, begging him to be careful. But even as he opened his mouth, a bolt of darkness lanced down out of the blue, striking the Pharaoh where he stood.
"Pharaoh!" Seto's cry was drowned amid the hubbub of voices that broke out among the salves and bodyguards. His horse shrilled as darkness suddenly descended all around them, obliterating the blue sky, dispelling the warmth of the sun.
Seto leapt down from his panicking steed and ran toward the Pharaoh. But he halted suddenly as a swirling maelstrom of darkness appeared over their heads.
Shadow Magic!
From the corner of his eye, Seto could see the Pharaoh: he was lying on the ground, apparently unconscious from the blast. A sudden wave of anger roiled through the priest. He raised his Millennium Rod.
"Darkness, be gone!" he thundered. He sent forth all his energy, fueled by that sudden rage, into a bolt that blasted through the heart of the darkness. All time seemed to stilled as the powers strove for supremacy. It was a struggle of good versus evil, light versus darkness. It was a struggle that lasted for only scant moments, yet seemed to stretch on for eternity.
Then suddenly, with an almighty shudder, the darkness collapsed upon itself and faded away. Seto nearly fell to his knees as his strength was sapped from him. That struggle had cost him more than he'd expected.
But now was not the time for weakness. Struggling to move his unwilling feet, he stumbled to the Pharaoh's side.
"Pharaoh Atem..."
His eyes were still closed, and ice gripped at Seto's heart as he contemplated the worst. That had been a powerful blast of Shadow Magic, and it had caught the Pharaoh with his guard down. And now, he was not moving, barely breathing, and Seto could hardly sense the presence of his strong mind.
Seto felt himself go cold.
His soul had been taken by the Shadows.
No! Seto thought wildly. This can't be happening!
Seto thought wildly."Priest Seto?" came a hesitant voice. One of the bodyguards. No doubt the display of magic had frightened the poor fools, if the gibbering in the background proved anything.
Before the bodyguard could say another word, Seto had gently lifted the Pharaoh in his arms and carried him back to the covered traveling sedan. His eyes were intense as he gazed at the young pharaoh, as though by sheer force of will he could set everything aright.
"We leave at once," he said flatly.
The bodyguard bowed low. Very low. "Yes, my lord."
Seto managed to shush the rumors that were already spreading among the attendants soon after they reached the royal palace. People listened when finding themselves being stared down at by a High Priest. You'd listen too. Especially if the said priest was holding a Millennium Item and threatening to feed your soul to the monsters of the Shadow Realm.
Pharaoh Atem was in his royal bedchamber, and after the attendants and healers had fussed over him sufficiently, Seto dismissed all of them, including the guards. He had then called the other five priests to the Pharaoh's antechamber for an emergency meeting. No doubt Priest Ishizu had already foreseen what was going to happen, for she appeared before Seto had dispatched the slaves with the messages. Priests Akunadin, Karim, and Shada hurried in soon after at more or less the exact moment. The last to arrive was Priest Mahado, his eyes dark and his step heavy.
After a recount of what happened by Seto, there was a slightly frenzied discussion as the priests went over the stories they knew about situations similar to this; but the discussion soon proved useless, and as one, they turned to Mahado.
"We all know you're the greatest spirit sorcerer in the land," Seto said. "What can you draw from your expertise, Mahado?"
The keeper of the Millennium Ring regarded him with a grave expression. The rest of the priests fell silent.
Mahado's voice was quiet as he replied, "What I know we all already know. There is nothing more I can tell you." He paused and looked Seto in the eye. "And there is nothing I can do. It was a powerful Shadow Spell, one more powerful than any I have ever encountered."
A heavy silence descended upon the room.
Ishizu watched Seto with concern in her eyes. Mahado's words seemed to have had the same effect as a bolt of lightning striking him. He stood perfectly still, his head lowered, his eyes fixed unseeingly on the floor. The Millennium Rod hung limply in his hands. Ishizu knew that Seto must be blaming himself for not being quick enough, for allowing this to happen. But it wasn't his fault, why couldn't he see that?
Ishizu started to move toward him, wanting to comfort him, but she felt a restraining hand on her shoulder. Akunadin shook his head, seeming to say "let him be", and Ishizu obeyed the older man.
Suddenly, Seto looked up, his blue eyes blazing.
"No," he said firmly. "I won't give upon him. Not without a fight."
"Seto," Ishizu began.
But Mahado cut her off before she could say anymore. His voice was stern, but it carried an unmistakable note of sorrow. "Seto, don't be foolish. There is nothing you can do. There is nothing any of us can do. It's over, Pharaoh Atem is gone. You cannot bring back a soul from the Shadows; only the one that banished him can, and unfortunately for us we have no idea who that is!"
"I'm not giving up just like that!" Seto said heatedly. "I won't!"
"Seto, wake up from your delusions!" Akunadin said forcefully. "Right now, we must concentrate on safeguarding the kingdom against chaos and civil war. With the Pharaoh gone--"
"He can't be gone!" Seto cried.
"Come now," Karim said gently. "Listen to reason."
Seto looked from one face to the other, as though searching for something in the eyes of the other priests. They didn't know what he was looking for, but it seemed that whatever it was, he found it lacking in them. Seto drew himself up to his full height, his aura cold and commanding.
"Out," he said simply. "All of you. Out."
"Seto," Mahado began, a bit angrily. "Don't you realize--"
"Out." Set's voice never changed in pitch or volume, but the force behind it startled the other priests, as well as the fact that the Millennium Rod suddenly flared with power. "Get out. Now."
Mahado's eyes flashed, but Shada stepped in and laid a hand on his shoulder. Slowly, the priests filed out, Ishizu being the first and Mahado last.
The door shut after Mahado with an ominous bang. Seto's face was expressionless, his eyes inscrutable. Silently, he turned and walked slowly through heavy curtains that separated the two chambers.
Atem was on his bed, and all the drapes were pulled closed around the Pharaoh. A small brazier burned a light incense in a corner, perfuming the room with a scent of exotic flowers.
Seto stood before the drapes about Atem's bed, the translucent stuff allowing him to see the still form of the Pharaoh. Slowly, reverently, he lifted a hand to pull the drapes aside.
Suddenly, another's presence prickled at the edge of his awareness.
"Out, Mana," he ordered as cold anger seeped into his voice. "I know you're in here."
A soft sniffling was heard as a young girl climbed out of one of the large ornamental vases by the door to the bedchamber. Her brown hair was tousled, her clothing wrinkled. Mana blinked away her tears. Though Seto's back was turned to her, he could tell that she was crying.
"I'm not leaving" she said stubbornly, her voice slightly choked by her tears. "Atem's my friend."
"You dare call the Great Pharaoh by his name? You are bold, Mana, but I'm sure there are many others who are also his friend," Seto said angrily. "Get out. Now. Unless you want to spend eternity in the Shadow Realm."
"You wouldn't dare!" Mana shot back. "Mahado is my master; he's the greatest sorcerer in the land, and a lot more powerful than you--aah!"
The Millennium Rod gleamed, and Mana cried out as a wave of power threw her against the wall. Seto's eyes flashed dangerously.
"I don't care who your master is. Get out of my sight."
Mana swallowed a sob. Throwing a tearful glare at Seto, she turned on her heel and fled from the room. Seto heard her running through the antechamber, followed by a bang as she slammed the door after her.
There was absolute silence in the bedchamber. Seto relaxed his tight grip on his Millennium Rod, willing his anger to drain away. Pulling aside the hanging drapes that shrouded the Pharaoh, he knelt down at Atem's bedside. As he gazed at the young man's motionless face, something twisted deep in Seto's heart.
Everyone had left at his command. They sensed his rage and knew that he was angry at fate and the world in general for what had happened. But what they didn't know what that Seto couldn't afford to let anyone witness him now. He knew that he was weak -- weak and vulnerable, and should anyone see through his mask then he was done for.
Custom forbade relationships between those of the same gender, and those who broke the taboo were scorned and spat upon, being regarded as evil and the lowest forms of life. And it wasn't just a simple taboo -- heavens knew that taboo would never stop someone like Priest Seto. No, it was the law of the gods themselves, and it had been taught from generation to generation.
Seto knew this very well. But all the knowledge of the laws could not help him govern his heart. When he had taken his oath as a High Priest he had sworn his udying loyalty to the Pharaoh. But long before, his heart had ordained that it wholly and resolutely belonged to Atem -- not the great and fair ruler, but the boy he had known for so many years, his cousin, his dear friend.
Seto had been horrified with himself when he first realized it. His automatic reaction was to deny it, blame it as a side effect of insomnia. But over the years, he had found that this feeling simply wouldn't go away, and that with each passing day he lost more and more control over his emotions.
He was horrified, disgusted, and detested himself. But what could he do? Had he been an ordinary person he would have ended his life for the evil that possessed him, but he was High Priest, and he well knew that his powers were invaluable to Pharaoh Atem. He couldn't deny his Pharaoh and his kingdom the skills and powers he possessed, but he couldn't deny to himself the longing his heart suffered from with each passing day.
Seto could not let him know of his unholy love, but it was hard -- Ra, it was hard to constantly have to check himself when he was at the Pharaoh's side, day in and day out.
He had sworn to serve Atem loyally, had sworn to protect him with his life if need be, and with his oath of High Priesthood he had devoted his life to the Pharaoh. He was a servant, a guard, but most of all Atem said that they were his most loyal and trusted friends.
Friends. Seto cursed the gods bitterly for putting him in this position -- a friend, but nothing more than a friend, never could be more.
He served Atem loyally, promising himself that he would exceed in all and be the best he could. He would always be there, always to serve and protect his Pharaoh, never allowing him to come to harm.
That was an oath he would rather die than break. But now...
Seto felt his heart twist in pain as he gazed at the motionless figure of Atem.
I let him down, he thought bitterly. I swore to forever serve and protect him, but I let him down. I was to slow, too weak. I let this happen.
he thought bitterly. IHe fought back the pain that threatened to overwhelm him. Gods, why did it have to hurt so much?
"Atem," he whispered, barely daring to voice his name aloud. Hesitantly, not daring to think of what he was doing, Seto reached out and brushed back a strand of Atem's blonde hair. The contact left his skin tingling, and he quickly withdrew his hand, shocked at his own daring.
But his mind was made up. It had been made up for a long time now -- he would do anything for Atem, he would serve him with his life.
I'll bring you back, Seto thought with a fierceness born of despair and desperation. No matter what it takes. I'll bring you back. You can't be lost, you just can't. Egypt needs you, your people need you, and...
Seto thought with a fierceness born of despair and desperation.He swallowed a small whimper.
...I need you.
Atem. My...name is...Atem.
The darkness closed in around him, snarling, clawing at his very being. Atem fought the Shadows as they tore at his memories, threatening to strip away every last remnant of who he was; he fought with all the power he possessed, fighting for his memories, fighting for his soul.
It was a stalemate -- the Shadows had him trapped, but his power held them at bay. For now.
Atem could feel himself weakening, and he knew that the Shadows would have him, sooner or later. There was no way out, everywhere there was only shifting darkness that drew ever closer with each passing moment.
Atem...my...name...
He was growing weak. It would be all over soon. Atem shivered, as his thoughts trembled at the eternal darkness that awaited him.
How could it end this way? They needed him: Egypt, his kingdom, his people, his friends...
A sense of loss washed over Atem, and suddenly in his mind he could see a pair of deep blue eyes gazing at him.
Seto...
Atem's heart ached at the thought of his name. He remembered his voice, his eyes, his powerful, commanding presence...and he remembered the customs that forbade everything Atem hoped for. All he wanted was to hear Seto say he loved him. All he wanted was to be happy, knowing they loved each other.
For so long, Atem had held himself in check, knowing that it would be the greatest and most terrible of scandals if anyone found out. The Pharaoh, in love with a man, and his own cousin to boot? It was defying the very will of the gods!
And most of all, Atem couldn't stand to imagine the look of horror and disgust on Seto's face if he found out. He wouldn't be able to bear the humiliation. For though the young Pharaoh often dreamed of a happy ending, what were the odds that it would ever come true? Seto was an upright man, he couldn't be susceptible to this godless emotion that Atem had fallen victim to.
As he gazed bleakly at the darkness all around him, Atem wished with all his heart that fate wasn't so cruel. He wished that there could just be a happy resolution -- a joyous conclusion to the suffering his love caused him, a conclusion where he would wake one day to discover that Seto loved him. Then let all taboos and laws fly on the four winds. Atem had loved Seto for too long to care anymore.
I just want to hear him say my name, he thought. I just want him to speak normally to me, like we used to when we were younger. But now, it's all titles -- "My Pharaoh", "Great Pharaoh", but never "Atem."
I just want to hear him talk to me again. I miss him. I...I love him.
Atem loved him. Ra, he loved with a passion more than any should be allowed able to carry and still live.
His heart broke anew each day as he watched Seto standing at his side, his powerful aura radiating strength, his expression impassive.
If he could turn back time, Atem would find a way to beat down his own cowardice and just tell Seto the way he felt. It was against all odds that Seto would accept him and his emotions. It was nearly impossible that Seto would love him as well.
Still, there was that infinitely small chance, and all Atem wanted was to have that one chance, no matter how desperate, no matter how hopeless. He just wanted a chance to say, "I love you."
The Shadows pressed in around him, destroying his hope. He'd never have that chance. Maybe it was better Seto didn't know. Then, at least, Atem would be spared that final heartbreak.
But now, he felt shattered anyway to think that it was all over. Never again would Atem see him standing there at his side -- his friend, his loyal priest, his one love. Never again would he look up to see the deep blue of Seto's eyes, that profound, endless blue see that swallowed him each time their eyes met. Never again would he hear Seto's voice. Never again would be able to dream of the impossible in the quiet hours of the night.
He was the pharaoh, the living representation of the gods. He was great, he was powerful, but he was denied the one thing he truly wished for.
A single shimmering tear trickled down his cheek, disappearing into the darkness.
"Seto..."
"Pharaoh!"
Atem's eyes widened as he looked around frantically. Was he mind finally collapsing under the Shadows, or had he just heard Seto's voice calling out to him?
"My Pharaoh, come back!"
It was Seto's voice, the same voice that he had never hoped to hear again. It was beyond all hope, beyond all possibility. Suddenly, a shimmering light appeared before him, faint but steady, a shining blue tinged with gold.
"Come back, Great Pharaoh! You must come back!"
Atem gathered what remained of his strength, fighting off the Shadows with a last desperate effort. It was Seto, his beloved Seto leading him back. The thought leant him strength, and he ran after the light, ignoring the enraged roar of the Shadows as he, their prey eluded them. Atem controlled his fear, his mind bent on following the light.
For he could feel Seto's presence there behind the light, and in this presence, Atem could sense the answer to all his dreams and prayers -- he sensed a boundless, unconditional, impossible love.
End first half of Part One -- next chapter will conclude the Ancient Egypt storyline, and we move on to...Domino! Reviews are greatly appreciated! Thankye!
