Disclaimer: I'm not Kazuki Takahashi, therefore I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh.
Author's Note: Kaiba's predecessor will be called "Seth" and Ishizu's will be called "Isis." (Yes, I use both versions.) Don't bother telling me that Seth is called "Seto" or "Set," and that Isis is supposed to be called "Aishizu" or "Aishisu" because I already know, and I don't plan on changing my mind because of it.
Warning (Updated, Please Read!): There will be major spoilers in this fanfiction. In addition to this, there will be some lines that will seem reminiscent from the Anime/Manga. The only reason for this is because this fanfiction is meant to completely coincide with the Anime/Manga. I do not make any money off what I write, so the lines/phrases/comments are all sole property of Kazuki Takahashi. Please keep that in mind as you read future chapters. Once again, ALL credit goes to Kazuki Takahashi.
Chapter One---
"I'll win this duel, high priest Seth. Mark my words, I shall not be defeated."
The auburn-haired man smirked, his vivid cerulean eyes gleaming as he did so.
"You know," the high priest began, his sneer still in place, as he gripped the gold rod he held in his right hand even tighter, "you'd sound more convincing if you weren't already sounding fretful, Priest Mahaado."
The opposing chestnut-eyed priest growled under his breath in irritation. After fingering the flaxen ring he wore around his neck, he called his attack without hesitation.
"Magus of Illusion, attack him! Spell-binding phantasm!"
The scanty magician lurched forward, his scepter pointed toward the beast. As he flicked his staff, the mage caused a light gray circle to form around the opposing monster.
The priest sneered a bit, failing to see that the azure-eyed high priest seemed more than ready for his assault.
"Show this fool what real power is, and break through that servile bewitchment, Duos!"
The beast did as Seth commanded; the monster easily destroyed the enchanted spell binding seal. The high priest seemed to notice this, but did not hesitate to call his attack.
"Now, Duos, attack his sorcerer!"
The two figures lurched at each other. Although, the 'battle,' if it could even be called one, didn't go on for long. The paltry necromancer was easily forced back into place. Mahaado winced and stifled a gripe of agony.
The smirk of the mahogany-haired being widened a bit, almost to the point of a grin.
"Now, if that caused as much pain to befall you as I believe it did.." the gold rod possessing high priest started, "then this will surely obliterate what's left of your strength."
The conflicting priest kept his lips pursed together, seeming as if he was ready for anything. However, his amber eyes told a different story. They could not hide the emotion hidden deep within; an emotion Seth could clearly see in those sepia orbs -- fear.
"Duos, finish this imbecile off! Aura sword attack!"
Immediately, the silhouette charged at the meager sorcerer. With his tool in hand, the delineation slashed at the magician. The sound of a blade cutting through a solid form was followed by an intense, ear-piercing outcry of travail.
As the two forms slowly disappeared, the cerulean-eyed high priest saw the other was already on his knees. To repress yet another wail of anguish, the afflicted priest forced out a strenuous cough as beads of perspiration trailed down his face.
"Look at yourself, Mahaado; you're pathetic!" Seth stated impersonally.
Resentfully, the priest raised his russet irises to connect with the other's distant azure ones.
"How do you expect to protect the kingdom from that thief when your Ka cannot even survive a mere scratch?" the upright individual questioned in the same tone of indifference, "Believe me, fool, if your Ka does not sharpen, I'll personally see to the withdrawal of your priesthood."
Mahaado said nothing. The cerulean-eyed priest of authority shot the other another indignant look before he gracefully turned on his heel and strode out of the battle chamber.
As Seth exited the palace all together, his thoughts traveled back to his duel with Mahaado. The priest of authority felt no remorse, not at all. Mahaado deserved what had been forced upon him. He was absurd if he truly thought his miniature spellbinder could actually surpass the Ka of a high priest's.
Seth smirked and switched his gaze towards the golden rod in his hand.
The Sennen Rod.
Finally, it had all paid off...
The long, incessant hours he spent as a boy studying scrolls, memorizing incantations, and strengthening his Ka. He had been waiting to possess it for years, and now, he finally did.
At last he was high priest; second to the pharaoh himself. It had been a month since the ceremony for his high priesthood had been performed; and what a month it had been...
All who saw him addressed with more esteem, more respect.. His days were solely his, and his alone.. He did as he pleased, whether he be in the temple, the palace, or working alongside the high priestess. Seth's sneer stretched farther across his face.
Isis.
She had arrived at the palace five years ago. The amber haired priest of ascendancy kept that fateful day in mind as if it was just yesterday..
The brunette-haired high priest-in-training walked through the palace, his scroll gripped securely in his right hand. He strode forward, enjoying the small portion of the day he got free from his lessons. How tiresome they got, not to mention repetitive. He needed a break to rejuvenate himself; he deserved it.
"Pharaoh Akunumkanon!"
Excited anticipation rang throughout the spoken words. Seth stopped behind the marble column he was passing by as he heard rushed footsteps approaching.
The teen pressed himself firmly against the pillar and lightly turned his head toward the direction of the voices. As his cerulean irises looked onward, he saw two figures approach.
The first was none other than the Pharaoh. The ashen eyes that were covered by his equally colored, large, bushy eyebrows showed intrigue and interest.
Next to him stood high priest Akunadin. His gray bearded face was set with a stern, almost annoyed expression. He faintly glared ahead, his Sennen Eye gleaming as he did so.
Seth's gaze followed Akunadin's as it swept right past the leaden goateed Siamun. Instead, it fell towards the right of the violet-eyed assistant. The teen's azure irises widened in surprise and curiosity as they fell upon the unexpected fourth individual.
A girl.. And a fairly pretty one at that.
It was true; there, next to Siamun, stood a young, ebony-haired girl dressed in a plain iridescent tunic that cut off about an inch above her ankles. Her sapphire like eyes were narrowed in front of her and remained placid, as if she hadn't the slightest clue she was in the presence of a king.
The silence between the three men quickly ceased.
"Siamun, what is cause of your alacrity?" questioned the deep, full-toned voice of the pharaoh.
"Pharaoh, when I made my rounds of the village today, I overheard the cries of a young peasant woman. It seemed that her adolescent son had wandered away from her, and she was greatly distressed. She said that she had circled the entire village three times, but hadn't caught eye nor ear of him.
This was when I caught sight of a young girl," the right-hand man of the pharaoh motioned a hand towards the girl standing beside him, "walking towards an unusually large crevice in the wall at least ten feet away from her. As she reached the opening, she bent down and pulled out a sleeping, adolescent boy out of the gap.
She then made her way back to the woman and asked if the boy belonged to her. When the woman nodded in joy and accepted the child back into her own arms, she asked this girl how she found the boy when she herself had looked in every part of the village. Her answer was that she had foreseen it."
Seth raised his eyebrows a bit in shock.
'Foreseen?'
There was no way. A commoner such as her couldn't have had the power to predict the future, not even those of high authority did! Akunadin, it seemed, was thinking the very same thing.
"Siamun, you naive fool!" the priest began, his glare switching from the girl to the auxiliary, "How could you be misguided by this village girl? You, the pharaoh's right hand!"
"But this girl.." the adherent started, "I sense she has incredible power; her status is not important! Seth was a peasant boy before he arrived at the palace, and he holds great strength! You never protested about Seth becoming a member of the Pharaoh's Royal Court, so why must you raise an objection to Isis?"
"Seth is an entirely different case!" Akunadin retorted, as his tone grew cold. "This decision, however, is up to Pharaoh Akunumkanon." he added as he growled lightly under his breath.
Both men turned their gaze to the pharaoh. Akunumkanon, on the other hand, didn't seem ready to make his decision just yet..
"What is your name, dear girl?" the king questioned attentively.
"Isis, sir."
"Your age?"
"Fourteen." (1)
"Where is it that you live?"
"In the village Master Siamun spoke of."
Akunumkanon paused a moment. After clearing his throat a bit, he continued.
"Is the tale Siamun narrated the truth?"
"Yes it is, sir."
"Would you swear on it by Horus, Isis, and Osiris himself?"
"No, sir."
"And why is that?"
Seth moved closer to the edge of the column, waiting for the girl's response.
"Pledging on the name of the gods is not permitted, sir. It is a sin. I would rather be thought of as a deceiver than one who has tarnished the name of the gods." she answered calmly.
The teenager enlarged his own eyes as Akunadin and Siamun widened theirs in amazement. Even Akunumkanon seemed in a state of shock at the knowledge of the girl. Silently, he raised a hand and placed it under his gray beard, deep in thought. His eyes never left the raven-haired girl's face, and she, in turn, never cringed under his piercing gaze.
After moments of reasoning and contemplation, he spoke.
"She shall stay, and be trained to possess the Sennen Tauk.."
Siamun's face broke into a beam, and Isis smiled faintly. Akunadin, although, seemed appalled.
"But Pharaoh..." the high priest began, determined to change the ruler's mind, "she--"
The king raised a hand towards the protesting high priest.
"My decision stands, Akunadin, there is no use in arguing.." Quietly, the high priest snarled and shot an intense glare at the ultramarine-eyed girl. Her countenance, however, remained as tranquil as ever.
Seth, who also seemed outraged by the judgment, rolled his hands into fists, completely forgetting about the scroll in his hand. He only became conscious of what he had done when it was just too late. A loud cracking sound was ejected into the room as his palm made contact with the papyrus.
The high priest-in-training quickly jerked his head away from the corner and compressed it stiffly against the cold marble of the pillar. Although, the coolness did little to chill the teen, he was feeling warmer than ever. Perhaps, the young adult hoped, no one had heard him. Maybe the impact of his hand against the scroll wasn't as emphatic as he thought it had been...
"Who goes?" demanded Akunadin in an icy tone.
Seth's stomach churned in dismay, but he had no choice but to comply. Slowly, he emerged from behind the column, his heart pounding against his rib cage.
The high priest-in-training felt all four pairs of eyes set on him. He was in complete indiscretion, but he was determined not to show it.
"Seth, boy..what are you doing here?" the high priest asked, his irises pointed at the teen.
"Forgive me, Master Akunadin.." the young adult began, keeping his voice steady, "I did not mean to intrude. As I was making my way through the palace, I heard voices and stopped behind the pillar so that I may not interfere."
"..Interfering was exactly what you did, boy." Akunadin stated in a tone of accusation, "See to it that it will never happen again."
"I will, sir."
As he concluded his statement, the teen turned and began to depart from the room. Unexpectedly, he was called back.
"Seth.." the pharaoh called out obligingly.
The azure-eyed teenager immediately turned around to face the king.
"Yes, Pharaoh?"
"..Please show Isis to one of the guest rooms in the palace." Akunumkanon replied kindly.
The high priest-in-training nodded, "Of course, sir.."
As he turned to face the girl, his cerulean spheres locked with her own sapphire ones for a brief second. "Follow me." he stated coldly as he turned back around and began his departure. The obsidian-haired girl complied and followed him out of the chamber.
No sooner had they exited did Seth speak out.
"You seem more fit for the duty of a slave rather than that of a priestess." he began, a sneer setting on his face, "You aren't a slave, are you?"
Seth expected her to retaliate with a defensive death glare. She, however, did something completely the opposite.
"..Funny, I was about to ask you the very same question." the girl answered coolly, as she glanced at the sleeveless white garment that stopped at his knees.
The teen growled at her, his smirk fading into a stony stare. The opposing teenager remained unruffled.
"I bet you were ecstatic when you were invited to stay at the palace." he spat distantly, "A chance at wealth and integrity."
A small smile crept across Isis's face.
"Actually..I declined Master Siamun's offer. I told him I rather live a life of peasantry than deal with those in the palace who thought they were as important as Osiris himself." the ebony-haired girl shot a glance at Seth, who intensified his glare, "He pressed more firmly, but my mind had already been made up. It was my mother who suggested I go with him. She said a life in the palace would more safer and securer.."
From that point onward, the trip through the palace was completely silent -- save the sound of their feet hitting the floor with each step. The teen boy's footsteps only ceased as he halted at a door, the girl's soon followed.
"This will be your room." the high priest-in-training stated icily as he opened the door. Isis took a step inside.
"I thank you." she replied, and with that, shut the door in his face.
The teen snarled under his breath as he turned and began exiting the corridor, his strides lengthening with every frustrated step he took.
The high priest took a few steps towards the palace walls to shade himself from the rising sun. The day after Isis had arrived, something so unexpected occurred, that even he himself could not cope with..
Seth stood, waiting, in the palace chamber where they were taught each and every day. Their lessons had just concluded for the time being and he, along with the rest of those in training to become part of the Pharaoh's Royal Court, were being asked to gather in the chamber. So far, he was the only one present. -- Well, at least aside from her.
The teen scowled at her. There she was, sitting pleasantly on one of the four stone benches that had been set out for them. She had arrived only the day before and already she had spoken back to him multiple times.
How he loathed her. Who did this girl think she was? Never in his entire life had a girl reprimanded him in such a degenerate manner. All of the girls he had encountered throughout the years of his life usually fell at his feet. A mere glance from him and they would start giggling, a smirk and they would be melting in a matter of seconds.
All girls -- except her. Why was she so different? What made her so unusual? What was with this girl?
"It seems our soon-to-be-high priest has taken a liking to our new priestess-in-training."
The azure eyed teenager broke away from his thoughts and whirled around to face the owner of the statement. In front of him stood two individuals whose ages were similar to his. The first was a teen with spiky, tri-colored hair -- Atemu, the fourteen-year-old present Prince of Egypt. The second was a brown-eyed teenager with equally toned hair -- Mahaado, the fifteen-year-old priest-in-training. Both stood with a grin.
"Nonsense, prince." the auburn haired high priest-in-training answered in a tone of full disagreement. Perfect, this was just what he needed, a bunch of ludicrous lies concerning the girl and himself.
"Come off it, Seth. You gawk at her every time she's in the same room as you. It's obvious to see." Mahaado said, his grin widening, "Pity though, she doesn't seem to care."
The cerulean-eyed teen stared icily at the equally aged priest-in-training.
"..She cared when you made a complete fool of yourself in the Dining Hall yesterday, Mahaado." the high priest-in-training stated with a smirk, as his glare turned into a look of complete mockery.
The russet-eyed teenager let his beam diminish.
The mahogany haired teen broadened his sneer. It was true, after all. The day before, as he made his way into the Dining Hall to join the others to have their orderly meal, he spotted four figures in the distance standing in disorderly semi-circle around something. As he walked over to investigate, he recognized that it was a someone rather than a something.
Isis stood a few feet away from the quartet of teens that he now recognized as Atemu, Mahaado, Shaada, and Karim. When he finally reached the five beings, he saw that the girl among them was smiling a bit at them all, while they themselves acted like complete morons. Each took a turn stepping forward to shake her hand, and declare their identity.
First was the fourteen-year-old-priest-in-training Karim who kept glancing at her feet, and then her face in a rhythmic pattern, when he took her hand, as if this was the first time he'd ever seen a female. Next was Shaada, who was also fourteen and training to become a priest, was grinning madly, looking completely psychotic as he shook hands with her. Even Atemu had lost his composure as he locked hands with her. With his other hand placed behind his head, the tri-color haired prince was laughing for no apparent reason. Mahaado, however, was in the worse condition of them all. As he began to take a step onward, his feet seemed to entangle with one another. He would have surely fell forward into the girl if trio of boys hadn't caught him in time. As he was pulled backwards, he straightened his back; his sepia bangs a mess over his equally colored eyes.
Seth stifled a laugh and looked over to still grinning Atemu, who seemed to be thinking the very same thing. The priest-in-training glared at the opposing chestnut haired teen.
The high priest-in-training heard a small creak emerge in the room. Turning his head and looking back, he saw Karim and Shaada enter the room, followed by Siamun.
"Please sit down." the pharaoh's right hand stated as he motioned his hand to the benches that had been laid out, while he moved to the front of the chamber.
The azure-eyed teenager began making his way towards the small seats that were just large enough to fit two. As Atemu sat down, Seth moved down to take a seat next to him. Abruptly, the high priest-in-training was pushed back. As his eyes came into focus, the cerulean-eyed high priest-in-training saw Mahaado place himself down next to the prince. Seth's eyes flashed.
"Move over." the vivid blue-eyed teen demanded.
The russet-eyed priest smirked as his eyes narrowed ahead, "There's more room up there."
Seth looked forward, and realized why Mahaado was sneering.
Isis.
There was absolutely no way he was going to sit down next to her. They already had the ridiculous idea that he liked her -- if he chose to sit down without a fight, they would surely never let him live it down. The high priest-in-training looked around in desperation, hoping to find a different seat. Shaada and Karim, however, were already occupying the remaining seats.
In frustrated defeat, the stormy aqua-eyed teen switched his gaze forward. That was when he realized the fourth stone bench that had been set out.
Why hadn't he thought of it before? It was so obvious.
Seth strode over to it and sat down. No sooner had he make contact with the seat did the mahogany haired young adult suddenly fall to a floor as the bench clattered and broke into pieces. Seth reached out a hand to break his fall just in time. As he looked at his dust-covered clothes, the sound of snickering reached his ears.
The cerulean-eyed teen looked back over his shoulder to the quartet of boys.
Shaada sat in a slightly hunched position, doing a poor job of coughing to hide his laughter. Karim had completely turned around, and was clutching his stomach as his right hand clamped over his mouth. Atemu seemed to be biting his tongue firmly, but strained snickers were still escaping from his throat. Mahaado, although, didn't even seem to be trying to contain himself. He, unlike the others, tossed his head back and began laughing openly.
Seth turned his gaze to the girl, mustering up the coldest death glare he could.
"Why didn't you warn me that the seat was unstable?" he questioned fiercely.
The girl kept her eyes narrowed in front of her. "I don't recall you asking.."
The high priest-in-training snarled at her as the sound of sniggering became even more audible.
"That's quite enough, boys." Siamun stated in a slightly detectable sound of amusement, as he broke through the intense laughter.
With much difficulty, the chortling and chuckling slowly faded away, and then completely ceased. The teen got to his feet and dusted the excess pieces and fragments of the stone off of his tunic. Isis wordlessly moved over to the left of the bench; Seth grudgingly sat down next to her, as the pharaoh's assistant began speaking.
"I am presuming you have all been acquainted with Isis, and if so, you all know that she will be training as a priestess. Is that correct?"
The five boys nodded--the high priest-in-training, however, in a discontenting manner.
"I have called you here to report that matters have changed."
The azure-eyed teen smirked as Siamun finished his sentence. He knew it. He had known it since the day she got here -- she would be working as a servant, a slave. She didn't deserve the title of priestess; she wasn't worthy, and finally, Pharaoh Akunumkanon had come to realize it.
"Seth," the teenager being addressed looked up as the right-hand man began, "Isis will be joining you as you study to become high priest. She will be trained to become high priestess by your side."
The cerulean-eyed young adult let his mouth part, completely shocked and astounded.
Mahaado leaned forward towards the high priest-in-training. "Looks like you'll be working with her closer than you thought, Seth." he whispered in a tone of mirth.
The stormy-eyed teen rose to his feet, his entire body tense. "Master, you cannot be serious. I am quite capable of performing my duties as a priest of authority without assistance."
"One can never be too sure, Seth. I trust your abilities, but these times are filled with perils and dangers. It is safer if there are two of you undertaking the work equally."
"But Master, I--"
Siamun shook his head at the teenager. "These orders come from Pharaoh Akunumkanon himself; it is final."
The high priest-in-training felt his muscles contract in animosity, and then relax in bitter defeat.
For the rest of the week, Seth remembered, he had done everything in his power to make her days at the palace a living nightmare. However, nothing seemed to work; she was impassable -- or at least, she seemed to be..
The cobalt-eyed teen forced his legs to stride over towards the palace gates, bruised and cut, his normally spotless tunic torn and dirtied from his encounter in the village. The guards on duty eyed his unusual appearance carefully, seeing that he had returned quite a while after dusk without his horse. Nevertheless, they granted him entrance.
The high priest-in-training walked over to the palace walls, leaning against one of them for support; he didn't feel like going in just yet, he was in too much pain. Despite it, however, the teen was glad he had visited the village. While he had been there, he had performed one of the main services any priesthood required--justice.
It was true, for as he was making his way through the village, he had come across a girl. Although, the girl had been no ordinary girl. Her facial features were remarkably unusual--pale skin, white hair, and blue eyes. Many would think she would be clothed in the finest silk, and adorned with the most gorgeous of jewels; she, however, sat locked in a cage like an untamed animal.
A little distance away from the cage sat marauders, who, he had heard, said they were planning to sell her away as a slave because of her rare characteristics, which would bring luck to the owner, and wealth to themselves. He had not hesitated at all to approach the cage where the girl sat in distress. She seemed completely astonished to see him, especially when he had begun picking the lock. He had broken through it with ease, and in a matter of seconds, he had helped her out of the crate.
One of the marauders, although, had seen them. The bandit charged towards them both, ready to attack, but he had easily countered and thrown him to the floor. Grabbing the girl's wrist, he had run over to his horse and climbed onto it, helping the girl up as well.
They immediately took off, while the pillagers chased after them. As the horse's speed increased, the plunderers effortlessly became outmatched and were left behind. Telling her to ride the horse to the next town, he jumped off, and told her his name. Reaching out his left hand as he ran alongside the horse, he hit it, causing the ashen horse to gallop faster. He had stopped and watched it race off as the girl turned and told him that one day she would repay him.
Abruptly, he had felt a pair of hands cease hold of him, forcing him back. (2) He had screamed for the few ravagers that surrounded him to let him go, but instead, they had begun questioning him about the whereabouts of the girl. When he wouldn't respond, they had started inflicting pain upon him--cutting and bruising him in every possible way, which eventually had made him bleed.
Unexpectedly, he had seen a massive white dragon rise over the village, roaring. He had immediately felt himself being released from the hands of the marauder, and turned to see the other bandits that had been surrounding him run away in fear. The dragon, however, attacked and blasted them. Getting to his feet, he had continued to watch the mighty beast in amazement.
A drop of water making contact with his battered skin caused Seth to wince and return to reality. The chestnut-haired teenager looked up and felt another drop of water, this time it hit his face.
Rain?
How could it be raining? The season of Inundation had just passed; it was the interval of Going Forth now, when the days grew longer and warmer, and farmers began planting their crops. (3)
As he felt another droplet of water fall against his beaten skin, he flinched once again. The beads of water soon began falling more quickly, and Seth found himself cringing every second or two. With no choice, the cerulean-eyed teen urged his feet to move over towards the palace door. Gripping the door with his marred he pulled the door outward as quietly as he could.
Fortunately, it had been left unlock. -- Did they know he had not returned yet, is that why they had left it open? Or had one of the servants simply forgotten to lock it?
The auburn haired teenager brushed away the question, and peered inside. It was completely dark, with the exception of the moonlight shining through the small creaks and cracks in the palace walls.
Seth stepped inside, shutting the entrance door nimbly behind him. The high priest-in-training pressed forward, the soreness in his leg muscles beginning to recover somewhat. Cautiously, he walked--taking a step, stopping, straining his eyes to see if a vase or statue was in the way, and then stepping again.
Throughout the entire palace floor, Seth repeated these movements until he discerned the outline of yet another door. He pulled it out as gingerly as before, and saw that it was one of the two corridors that led to the bedchambers.
He had nearly made it.
The teen quickened his pace, and lengthened his strides, trying to walk as fast as he possibly could without making noise. Luckily, he knew that the only vials and effigies in the vicinity were the ones placed along the edges of the hall, next to the walls, so he didn't have to worry about knocking one over by accident.
As the bedchambers came into view, Seth began numbering each one. His was the fourth from the left on the right side. It seemed like a handful to remember for most, but he had been residing in the palace for more than half his life. So to him, it was as simple and automatic as remembering his name.
The teen continued to stretch forth, only a few doors away from his own room. As he passed by the remaining chambers, he heard the faint sounds of deep breaths and snores.
However, as he exceeded a particular door that was slightly ajar, the scent off freshly fallen rain reached him. The teenager immediately came to a stop at the wall outside the room.
With curiosity completely taking over his mind, the azure-eyed teenager pressed himself steadily against the wall, forgetting about his battered appearance and the pain that continued to throb in each and every one of his bruises. Moving his head to the right, Seth surveyed the space inside. He remembered this room -- it was Isis's room.
The sight of a door opened to the outside caught the auburn-haired high-priest-in-training's gaze. Each chamber in the palace had a single door leading outside to a small balcony. Most used it to clear their head or get a breath of air. Although, why was she using it now, of all times, when the rain was falling in heavy patterns?
The cerulean-eyed young adult placed a hand lightly on the entrance door, and moved himself so he could get a clearer look of the balcony.
Positioned on her knees was Isis. Her ebony tresses fell over her shoulder, her already drenched beige tunic becoming even more sodden by the second, clinging to her arms.
The teen lightly smirked. He had no idea what could have been the matter with her, but he was determined to find out. Lightly gripping the door with the hand that was already placed onto it, Seth widened the gap between the entry and the wall, and stepped inside.
The teenager sauntered across the room to the opening doorway, now fully overlooking his exterior and the twinges of sting he felt. Stepping onto the terrace, the stormy eyed teen felt the cool droplets of rain intertwine themselves through his chestnut locks of hair. The young adult glanced down at her, seeing that she had no clue that he was present, and standing behind her. He could use this to his advantage.
"Well, well, well if it isn't our newly proclaimed high priestess-to-be..." the high priest-in-training started as he paced over to where she was positioned, and knelt down in front of her concealed face. "Why is it that you're purposely soaking yourself? We don't want you falling ill, now do we?" he mocked, his smirk increasing in length.
"...The village you have returned from has burned down to ashes." murmured Isis in a soft, quiet tone, as she brushed away the ridicule.
Seth's sneer vanished in an instant. "What?"
"It is true..nothing has been spared." the raven-haired girl replied in the same reticent tone of voice.
She couldn't have been right. She was a peasant girl, never could she have had the ability to foresee the fate of others. Still..then why did he have an unexplained feeling that she was telling the truth?
"If what you're saying is true, then we must tell Pharaoh Akunumkanon." he stated as he got to his feet. A hand loosely wrapped around his wrist. The teen glanced down and the girl who was stopping his procession.
"There is no use, the entire village has already been massacred; there are no survivors.." she whispered as she released his wrist. "..Not even--.." her voice wavered.
Seth knelt down next to her once more, his tunic completely teemed with water. "Not even what?" he asked, shocked by the unusually soft tone his voice took on as he questioned her. Why was he letting himself be so sympathetic towards her? This was, after all, the same girl that had completely embarrassed him only the week before.
He was supposed to loathe her.. Wasn't he?
Isis took a long pause of silence before she chose to answer. When she did choose to respond, her voice was barely above a whisper. "..My...mother..."
The vivid blue-eyed teen felt himself become overwhelmed with a deep feeling of grief and sorrow for the girl in front of him. His heart went out to her; he knew exactly how she felt.
He remembered the day his father rode off on his horse, reminding his mother not to reveal his identity for the sake of their safety. No news was brought about to them about his father ever again; he was presumed for dead. He himself had only been six years of age when his mother had died of a deadly raid that took place in the village not soon after. She had told him to run, run as far as he could to safety, and never look back. He had listened to his mother, and ran, but was still able to hear the piercing scream of anguish she uttered as the thieves stabbed her mercilessly. Only when the pharaoh appeared did he halt.
After hearing about all that had happened in the village that terrible night, Akunumkanon took him in to be trained as a high priest to the pharaoh. From that day forward, he had treated him like a son--while Atemu and himself grew close, almost like brothers..
A quivery shiver by Isis caused the high priest-in-training to return to reality. The teen glanced at her, and saw that she was straining to keep herself calm.
"..What about your father?" the teenager questioned in a rare tone of sympathy.
"...He died when I was an infant, along with the rest of my family, after a deadly plague swept through our village. My mother and I were the only ones who remained alive.. She traveled to another village, and raised me there...now that she is gone.." the girl's vocalization faltered once again as she struggled to finish her statement."...I have no one." she choked as her voice failed her completely.
Seth's countenance softened. Slowly, he outstretched his right hand towards her. Placing his thumb under her chin, the teenager titled her chin upwards. With his free hand, the azure-eyed teen moved a large lock of obsidian hair away from her face, and joined their gazes together.
"Wrong, Isis...you have me." he stated with a small smile of sincerity. Droplets of water fell onto Isis's face, but Seth could still see a fresh array of tears emerge from her already blood-shot eyes.
Without even considering what he was doing, the teen gently pushed the girl forward with his left hand. As she fell against his chest, she seemed completely startled. Seth, thinking he might have went to far, nearly pulled back.
In a matter of seconds, however, Isis had already buried her head into his chest, her tears falling freely. Seth's right hand went aloft, and stroked the girl's raven hair tenderly, as his left arm locked around her waist.
Moments passed by, yet neither of them tried to pull back.
"...Don't leave me...Seth.." Isis managed to utter with much difficulty.
The teenager tightened the grip he had around her waist reassuringly. "Never will I do such a thing." he whispered into her ear as he continued to run his hand through her drenched midnight tresses.
"Thank you..."
And that night, Seth recalled as he began walking once again, they both gained something that neither of them thought they ever would with one another.
Friendship.
(1) - Most peasant girls in Egypt usually married by age twelve to boys a few years older than them. I changed that around just for the sake of the fanfiction.
(2) - In the Japanese Version, the marauders had begun burning the village. As Seth screams for them to leave, they come and cease him. All the while, he cried out for his mother as he helplessly watched his village burn. This is before he begins living in the palace.
(3) - The civil year for Egyptians was divided into three seasons: Inundation, Going Forth, and Deficiency. Inundation was the time when the Nile overflowed the agricultural land, which is similar to our winter. Going Forth, such as our spring and/or summer, was the time of planting, when the Nile returned to its bed. Lastly, Deficiency, or the Egyptian version of our present-day season of fall, was the time of low water and harvest.
I know, I'm a hypocrite...but please excuse my late updating. I've been studying, finishing up some work, and living through power outages. I hope this chapter makes up for it; I tried to make it as long as possible. I'll update whenever I can, I still have a lot of work to get through, including a few major exams I need to study for. Please exonerate the inconvenience. Future chapters, however, will be a bit shorter. Uhm..forgive me? Review?