Disclaimer: Yuugiou (Yu-Gi-Oh!, Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters) is the property of Takahashi Kazuki and respective publishers, including Shueisha, Studio Gallop, Nihon Ad Systems, Toei Animation, 4Kids, and others. I would never claim to own it or attempt to make money off of it- just think of this as a written, free doujinshi and hopefully we'll get along fine ;)
Notes: Part of my Mukashi Tales series, a collection of short stories exploring the characters and events of the original AE.
A New God
The Sennen Puzzle felt heavy, heavier than the Sennen Rod had ever been in his hands. Perhaps it was simply due to the uncomfortable knowledge that his Pharaoh's (his cousin's) soul now rested within it. He had felt it right away when he set foot in Kul Elna, that the Puzzle was more than it had once been.
Seto was Pharaoh now. The Puzzle was his, little as he cared for the tainted gold, product of a dark ritual and crimes which he would not allow himself to contemplate further yet- he hadn't the time to battle through more attempts to reconcile the Akunadin-sama he had known with the truths about him revealed since this…set of battles began. It was unproductive, and Seto could not afford to waste time. His land needed a firm hand guiding it, and also a firm mind, not one which ran after prey out of reach like a foolhardy dog.
One of his first acts had been to fulfill his cousin's last request, seeking out and destroying all records of his name. In order to be certain, a magical technique had been developed, attacking one cartouche and through it sinking its teeth into every other inscription ever made. If they cared to look, many would see documents and seals suddenly empty- seals gifted by the Pharaoh, letters to foreign rulers…
When Seto closed his eyes he could still see Mana, face tear-stained, summoning Mahaado, conferring with him, and performing the spell with her deceased master's aid. Seto had never thought much of the magician's student before, but now he saw the depth of the wound formed by her master's death, and knew he would have to watch over her.
She was his responsibility. Everyone was.
Was this what life had been like for his cousin? Every moment thinking of others, soul a shield and guardian? Seto understood responsibility over others, but not to the exclusion of one's own protection. He could not imagine feeling no conflict, no fear, while shielding civilians, offering a sacred Item to a thief in exchange for an end to the attack on the city, offering his soul up to evil spirits for judgment, making a sacred part of his own soul the seal on a demon, and sacrificing the rest of his soul and life as well in the attempt.
Personal sacrifice was still far more natural to him, the willingness to shield another person who he cared for. Kisara had sacrificed herself for his sake…Seto would gladly have died in her place.
But Seto was not used to this other concept, the reality that his very soul was a tool for the protection of his people and land. He supposed he would have to learn.