Concept: March 07, 2006
Started: March 07, 2006
Chapter: 1?
Bounced On: SilverWing and Elsalhir
Disclaimer/s: Buttered melon rolls dipped in chicken sauce.
Warnings: AU-ness, just-came-back-from-writing-hiatus writing style (if you can call it that) and possible shounen-ai.
Inspiration: This one doujinshi that I would like to have but have no clear idea what it was about but the idea was so pretty and it was so pretty and can I have their drawing style…? -googly-eyes-
Sons of the Divine
by Inami
"Seth..."
The High Priest stood from his position on the floor at his lord's beckoning, now free to gaze upon the visage of the figure seated at the throne.
He frowned inwardly. The diminutive figure was uncharacteristically slumped over his seat, face shadowed by sun-kissed fringes.
"Seth, dearest cousin, my trusted adviser, confidante and High Priest," the Pharaoh began, and the brunet took that as an omen of something truly worrying. "My brother," the soft voice continued with a half-concealed sigh. "I fear, is in great danger."
"The prince?" Seth started, eyes widening a fraction before narrowing. "Do not worry. I will personally see to it that the prince will be heavily guarded, with Shadow Monsters if need be."
"Seth." The Pharaoh again interrupted, and for the first time since entering the chamber Seth was able to see his face.
The Pharaoh, cousin to Seth, was well-loved by his people for his own love and never-ending kindness for them. He did nothing but good for Kemmet, and his generosity was well-known even in the lands past the desert.
But, as common as this fact was, it was shadowed by the truth about the Pharaoh's endless worrying and care for his own brother that would surpass that of his own love for his country.
A truth Seth cursed and yet admired upon seeing his cousin's tired face, pale pallor and weary slump of the shoulders.
"It is not a danger of assassins, Seth." The figure stood, stepping down from his dais. "It is much, much worse."
"Worse? Pharaoh-"
"The Shadows are drawn to him, cousin!" The younger man started to pace, obviously distressed. "... Just as he is unknowingly drawn to the Shadows."
"Drawn..." Seth trailed off, an imperceptible gasp escaping from his lips. "You don't mean that he is susceptible to -"
"Yes." The Pharaoh continued to pace a little ways ahead of him, face troubled. "In time, he will be corrupted by them. As he is, without guidance, he lacks confidence and ultimately, the will and heart to overcome the pull of the Shadows."
Confidence, the brunet thought wryly, the prince already had in abundance. It was merely through confidence in his decisions that he lacked. The prince was as smart and just a great a strategist as the Pharaoh. There was not much difference in their brilliance, and had the prince shown more aptitude... Re, the Pharaoh...!
"Cousin, the Pharaoh, your father..." he started, unable to keep his realization to himself.
The Pharaoh smiled softly, nodding. "Father chose me above my brother because I had something my brother did not. Had my brother..." he trailed off. It didn't need to be said; both he and Seth knew and understood.
However, Seth also knew something about the Pharaoh that he was proud of. "I know you, little cousin. Your concern for your brother outweighs any other. I'm sure that by now, you have a plan." He was sure that he was smirking.
The Pharaoh returned to his seat, a visible sign of relief on his features. "Do you trust me, then, Seth?"
"The situation calls for a miracle."
A light-hearted laugh countered his growing smirk. "Seth, I wonder about you..."
"As you've repeated most of our lives, my Pharaoh."
"Oh." At this, his cousin looked thoughtful. "I forgot to mention. The crown of Pharaoh cannot be placed upon the brow of a sickly prince. After tonight, Seth, you will address me with the name I was given, since the title I hold now will not be mine." Purple eyes danced merrily. "Just as you addressed me before my coronation and the name you stubbornly ignored afterwards. And if you have forgotten it, dear cousin, it is Yuugi."
End Chapter One
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