As promised, this is the prequel to Curse of the Treasure.
This is centered around Atemu and Heba.
There is a side of Mahado and Isis as well.
Most of the characters from the series is not in here. It's the past so the present day characters are not in this one.
Seth=Seto
Eternias=Leo
These are the only two from the present except for Yami and Atemu.
Yami is Atemu's younger brother in this, and Atemu is the Crown Prince.
If you need to know anything else, I will put it before or after the chapter.
Summary: A year after his brother's death, Heba finds himself as a performance fighter in the Pharaoh's court. He catches the eys of Atemu, the Crown Prince of Egypt. Heba ends up saving the Prince's life and becomes his bodyguard. Heba promised his brother that he would find a new reason to live. Will Heba accept the fact that Atemu has fallen for him and Heba has fallen for Atemu, or will Heba let class differnce prevent him from finding happiness and keeping his promise to his brother? AtemuxHeba
Disclaimer: I own nothing except any OCs.
Also, the character of Eternias is not related to Princess Neferteri AKA Krysta's characters in any way. It is a character that I created.
Chapter 1- Finding a Reason to Live
A teenager with star-shaped tri-colored hair kneeled in the sand. His eyes which were of amethyst were filled with tears that had not fallen down his cheeks yet. He held the hand of the teen beside him.
The teen on the sand looked exactly like the other except that he had pale skin. He had a wound to his chest.
"Please, Yugi. Don't leave me, brother." the uninjured teen pleaded.
The teen called Yugi smiled up at his brother. "It is fir the best, Heba. It would not have ended otherwise. You are no longer tied to your duty now." Yugi said, tears falling down his cheeks.
A sib escaped Heba. "What am I supposed to do? You were my reason to live. I didn't mind my duty to protect you." Heba said.
Yugi smiled through the pain. "I know, brother, but I did mind. It would have never ended. This was the only way. You will find a new reason to live." Yugi said.
"How?" Heba asked.
"You will find a way. Promise me that you will live. Promise me you will find a new reason to live." Heba said.
"I promise. I'll find a new reason to live." Heba said.
"Remember that I-love-you-brother." Yugi said softly before his head fell to the side and his eyes closed as he drew his last breath.
Heba closed as his eyes as the tears started to fall down his porcelain features, crying for the loss of his brother. "I love you, too, brother." Heba whispered as he buried his face into his brother's tri-colored hair and cried in grief.
* * * * * *
One Year Later
Atemu, the Crown Prince of Egypt walked down the hall of the palace. He had tri-colored hair in the shape of a star. His skin was tanned and he had crimson eyes to go along with his sharp features. He wore a skirt with a blue streak in it and white shirt. He had on sandals. He also had his crown on along with earrings, necklaces, rings, and bracelets.
Beside Atemu walked Yami, a Prince of Egypt. Yami was Atemu's younger brother. Yami looked exactly like his brother except for the fact that he had pale skin opposed to Atemu's tanned. Yami chuckled.
"It's not funny, Yami." Atemu snapped.
"Yes, it is. It's always funny to see these woman throwing themselves at you." Yami said.
Atemu rolled his eyes. "It's not like any woman had a chance with me." Atemu said.
"A Prince would have better luck with you than a Princess." Yami said.
"Not likely." Atemu muttered.
"And why's that, Atemu?" a new voice said.
The two Princes turned to find their older cousin, Seth, walking to them.
Seth was taller than both of them and had tanned skin and a very muscular build. Seth had brown hair and cold blue eyes.
"Because all the Princes will want is exactly what the Princesses want." Atemu said.
"Your body and power." Yami said.
Atemu growled. "Yes, and I wish you would stop finding this so funny!" Atemu snapped.
Yami shrugged. "All any of them do is make fools of themselves, and the entire palace knows it." Yami said.
Atemu rolled his eyes. "You find this far too amusing, brother." Atemu said.
"So what if I do?" Yami smirked.
"Yami, watch it before I wind up an only child again." Atemu said.
"Yeah. Not happening." Yami said before taking off down the hall faster than light.
"He drives me crazy!" Atemu said.
"Yeah, but he does save you from your suitors on many occasions." Seth reminded him.
"About the only thing that he does do for me." Atemu said before walking off and leaving Seth alone in the hall. Atemu walked into the gardens and sat down by the stone pond.
"Hi, Atemu!" a cheerful voice called.
Atemu looked to see Mana, a magician in training, plop beside him.
Man had brown hair and green eyes. She wore a short tan skirt and a shirt that was off her shoulders. She also wore a gold necklace and had a wand with her. "Watcha doing out here?" Mana asked.
"The Princess is leaving, so I'm hiding." Atemu said, putting his chin in his hand.
"Oh. Another broken heart." Mana said.
Atemu glared. "I don't ask them to come here." Atemu said.
Mana waved her hands in front of her in surrender. "Okay. Sorry. I know that you don't want them to come here." Mana said.
Atemu sighed. "No. I'm sorry, Mana. I didn't mean to snap at you. I'm just a little irritated." Atemu said. He glanced at her curiously and said, "Mana. Why aren't you with Mahado doing your training?"
"Oh. He let me have a break. Thought I'd take a walk while I had the chance." Mana said.
"I see." Atemu said.
Mana giggled. "I think that he actually wanted to see Isis." Mana said.
Atemu smiled.
It was no secret that Mahado, one of the priests and the highest magician of the Egyptian court, and Isis, a priestess and the best healer of the palace were in a relationship.
"Now, Mana. You shouldn't jump to conclusions like that." Atemu told her.
"I know, but that's where he usually goes unless he has something else to do or if Isis has something that she needs to do." Mana said.
"I suppose so." Atemu agreed.
* * * * * *
Meanwhile, in the city closet to the Palace, an Egyptian with jet black hair and midnight blue eyes as well as tanned skin stood in the city with another man.
They were searching for new performance fighters for the palace.
The Egyptian sighed as he looked around. He wore a dark blue outfit that reached his ankles. He also had a staff in his hands.
"There seems to be no one here who would suit our Pharaoh, Eternias." a man with black hair that came to the middle of his neck and dark eyes said. He wore a sash across his chest and a white skirt that came to his ankles.
"Yes, Karim. I believe that you are right." Eternias agreed.
"Let go of me!" a voice shouted.
This caused both men to turn. They saw a crowd gathered.
"What is this about?" Karim asked.
"I don't know. Let's find out." Eternias said.
The two walked forward to find a large man with green hair and black eyes holing into a young child.
Both gasped at the resemblance between the young child and the two Princes.
Heba glared up at the large, burly man holding onto him. "I said to let me go." Heba growled.
The man laughed. "You must be kidding, kid. Here, kids like you are sluts." the mans aid.
In a flash, Heba had twisted out of the man's grip, grabbed his wrist, and flipped the man over onto his back.
The entire crowd gasped at the fact that such a young child had done that to someone over twice his size.
The man got up and turned only to find Heba pointing twin Sais at him that must have been hidden under his cloak.
"I am no one's slut, and I ma not a kid. I am seventeen, and I can defend myself. I suggest that you leave, sir." Heba said.
"Or what?" the man dared.
Heba's eyes turned so cold and harsh that anyone who saw them flinched. "As I said, I know how to defend myself, and I will do it." Heba said in such a threatening way that the large man backed up a step.
The man recovered and lunged at Heba, pulling out a sword.
Heba blocked the sword with his Sais and turned his Sais to flip the sword out of the man's hand. The man tried to punch Heba, but Heba ducked and then kicked the man in the stomach, sending the man crashing into the stone building behind him. Heba rested a Sai right at the man's neck.
"I said I would defend myself. I have faced stringer opponents than you in the raiders who have attacked me." Heba said in a cold voice.
"R-raiders?" the man said, knowing how fierce they could be.
Heba nodded.
"That is quite enough!"
Heba looked back to See Eternias and Karim walking forward. He instantly backed off and back away, putting his Sais up.
The man got up and said, "Priests, this boy-"
"Defended himself against you. We heard what you said. You had cruel intentions, and he only defended himself. He could have killed you." Eternias said.
"Everyone, leave now and go about your business." Karim ordered.
The crowd instantly dispersed.
"Leave now." Eternias said to the man, who immediately left.
Karim and Eternias turned their attention to Heba.
Heba kneeled before the two and said, "Forgive the fight, my lords, but I merely defended myself."
"Please stand." Eternias said.
Heba stood up, but kept his head down.
"You may look at us." Karim said.
Heba looked at them.
'His eyes are amethyst unlike Atemu and Yami's.' Eternias said to himself.
"How is it that you managed to flip that man like that?" Karim asked.
"I come from one of the villages on the outskirts of the kingdom, my lord. We are trained as children to fight. I have faced many men twice my size before. I have become a wanderer in this last year, and just arrived in this city today. I was often attacked by raiders and defended myself against them Many were stronger and bigger than that man." Heba said.
"Why do you hide your weapons?" Eternias asked, slightly suspicious.
"I was not hiding them. I use the cloak to protect myself from the desert sun." Heba said. He took off the cloak to show them in plain view at his sides. I did plan on staying long, or I would have removed the cloak. I mean no harm." Heba said.
"Tell us your name." Eternias said.
"My name is Heba, my lord." Heba said.
"Do you have somewhere to go?" Eternias asked.
"No. I ma a wanderer." Heba said.
"We are searching for performance fighters for the Pharaoh." Karim said.
"Are you asking me to become one?" Heba asked.
"Your skill with your weapons will decide that. You do seem promising, if you wish." Eternias said.
Heba thought a moment. "Very well. It would be an honor to serve His Majesty the Pharaoh." Heba said.
The reverence surprised them.
"You surprise me. Many young men do not have the kind of respect for the Pharaoh that you do." Karim said.
"I was raised to respect and honor the Pharaoh. He is the ruler of Egypt. He deserves the respect of all." Heba said.
"You will not be required to stay. If your skill measures up, you could be a performance fighter. If it does not, you will be free to go." Eternias said.
"Very well. I will go with you." Heba said.
"You will need to give us your weapons, or the guards will arrest you." Karim said.
"As you wish." Heba said. He took out both Sais and handed them to Karim.
"Follow us." Eternias said.
Heba followed the two back to the palace.
* * * * * *
Aknankanon, the father of Atemu and Yami and Pharaoh of Egypt, walked down the halls of the Palace with his advisor and close friend, Shimon, walking beside him.
"Shimon, do you know if Eternias and Karim have returned yet?" Aknankanon asked.
"I believe that they just arrived." Shimon answered.
"I think I will see if they have found anyone new." Aknankanon said.
Shimon followed Aknankanon to the chambers where Eternias would oversee the test of the potential performance fighters.
On the way, Karim met them.
"My Pharaoh." Karim said, kneeling.
"Stand." Aknankanon said.
Karim rose to his feet.
"Were you and Eternias able to find anyone else?" Aknankanon asked.
"There was one young boy." Karim said.
"He was of the appropriate age, wasn't he?" Shimon asked.
"His age is seventeen although his height does not support it." Karim said.
"I see. Has he been tested?" Aknankanon asked.
"Eternias is overseeing it now." Karim replied.
* * * * * *
Eternias had returned Heba's Sais to him a rather large looking guard was called to fight against Heba.
"Please tell me that this is a joke, Eternias." the guard said.
"No, Nemph. This is the one you are to test." Eternias said.
Nemph laughed. "You must be joking. This runt couldn't possibly last a minute." Nemph said.
Heba gripped the hilt of his Sais tightly. He hated to be called a runt, but managed to hold his tongue, knowing that it would only get him into trouble.
Eternias had expected this. "Nemph, I did not ask your opinion. I asked you to test him." Eternias said firmly.
"All right. I hope you're ready to lose, runt." Nemph said, drawing his sword.
"You'll start when I say." Eternias told them.
Both nodded their understanding.
Nemph held his sword diagonally in front of him.
Heba held both Sais up and pointed at Nemph, one lower than the other.
"Begin." Eternias ordered.
Nemph charged forward and brought hiss word down at Heba. Heba blocked the sword and pushed Nemph back before striking out with one Sai. Nemph jumped back and went at Heba again, bringing his sword down. Heba ducked and then struck out with a Sai, which was blocked by Nemph. Nemph started to bring his sword back and forth at Heba, who blocked with each Sai as he was backed up. Nemph struck out, but Heba ducked and brought a Sai up, hitting Nemph in the hand, causing him to drop his sword. Heba turned and kicked Nemph in the chest, knocking Nemph to the ground. Heba pointed a Sai down at Nemph.
Nemph was startled. He hadn't expected this.
"Well, Nemph. Do you concede defeat?" Eternias asked.
"I have no choice." Nemph said.
Heba backed off and lowered the Sais to his side.
Nemph stood up. "It would seem that I owe you an apology, young one. I should know better than to judge someone based off of their size. Your skill is as good as any guard here if not better." Nemph said.
"No apologies are necessary. I am used to being underestimated and treated like that." Heba said.
"Still think he shouldn't be a performance fighter?" Eternias asked.
"No. I think he will please the Pharaoh greatly." Nemph said.
"I am honored that you think that way." Heb said.
"You have earned my respect. Only Eternias and Seth have ever defeated me in a fight." Nemph said.
"Show Heba where he will be staying. I must go and speak with the Pharaoh." Eternias said.
"Of course. Follow me." Nemph said. He stopped and said, "You'll have to give me your Sais, though."
Heba nodded and handed the Sais to Nemph before following him.
Eternias started to leave when he was met by Aknankanon, Shimon, and Karim.
"My Pharaoh." Eternias said, kneeling.
"Stand, Eternias." Aknankanon said.
Eternias did as told.
"I came to see the test of the new fighter." Aknankanon said.
"The test is over, my Pharaoh." Eternias said.
"I just left." Karim said.
"Yes, I know." Eternias said.
"Who was the guard?" Shimon asked.
"Nemph." Eternias replied.
"The fighter lost then." Aknankanon said.
"No. He won. This new fighter is rather good. He took Nemph down in less than a minute." Eternias said.
"Nemph?" Karim asked.
Eternias nodded.
"I see. I look forward to seeing this new fighter." Aknankanon said.
"May I suggest he fight Benshin?" Eternias asked.
"Benshin?!" all three exclaimed.
"Benshin has been the best performance fighter for twelve years. Is that wise, Eternias?" Shimon asked.
"I think that he would be fine." Eternias said.
"Very well. I shall arrange it, and I hope your faith in this new fighter is not misplaced." Aknankanon said before leaving with Shimon behind him.
"Is having him fight Benshin wise?" Karim asked.
"I saw him, Karim. If Heba doesn't win, it'll be a draw. I have never seen such fighting in my life." Eternias said.
"I hope he doesn't disappoint us." Karim said.
* * * * * *
Atemu lay on his bed, feeling somewhat depressed.
Yami, who was reading a book in a chair in the room, finally grew tired of his brother's mood and put the book down before saying, "All right, Atemu. Out with it. what's eating you?"
Atemu glared. "Like you care." Atemu said.
"I might not act like it, but I do. It'll help to talk about it." Yami said.
Atemu sighed before sitting up on the bed. "I guess I'm just wondering if I'll ever fall in love." Atemu said.
"Come on, Atemu. Anyone would be lucky to have you." Yami said.
"Yami, I don't want someone who wants me for my title or my looks. I want someone who loves me for me." Atemu said.
"You'll find someone. Father said that these things take time." Yami said.
Atemu sighed. "It just feels like I never will." Atemu said.
Sorry for killing Yugi, but Curse of the Treasure explains this.
Also, Mana is just a friend to Atemu and Yami. She's not going to cause any conflict with Heba and Atemu.
The next chapter will be about Heba's first performance for Aknankanon and his court.
R&R.