Chapter 1
Screaming filled the air as Pharaoh Ankhnetjer's army slaughtered the people residing within Perensheps. The villagers provided no resistance, too grief-filled after the murder of their own king & queen. Women & children stood huddled in the centre, surrounded by the men, Human, High- Born & Noble were all slain without a second thought as those humans that resided within Perensheps were regarded as traitors & their half-breed children were poison in the minds of both respective races. The Noble's felt they had been tarnished by human blood & their now-lacking willpower was not safe for the power they held, the great people that had created those that were used for Shadow Games were destroyed in a single day, as they wished for death & Pharaoh feared their power. This bloody massacre was never recorded, Pharaoh Ankhnetjer was determined to remove all traces of the Noble's & their existence, the pharaoh's of Egypt were the only ones who held power.
Ten years later, Pharaoh & his wife & Queen Hedjib sat peacefully in the royal garden relaxing & watching the prince & princess playing. Prince Saharen was taking a break from his studies & was relishing his free time with the princess, Nefersheps. Saharen barely got to spend any time with his sister, as their studies were at differing times, both had much to learn before they could fulfil their future positions as pharaoh & queen. Ankhnetjer sighed quietly & looked away from his children, that thought making him chuckle bitterly. "What is it dear?" Hedjib asked softly. "Them, her, how happy they are, I just thought of her as my own, you know?" Ankhnetjer snorted at that & looked at his wife when she placed her hand on his. "She is ours, not by blood, but she is ours. Nefersheps will make a good queen for Saharen & for Egypt." Hedjib replied. "What do you think she would do, were she to find out truth?" Ankhnetjer asked, almost rhetorically. "I think she would be somewhat hurt, but she sees us as family & cares deeply for Saharen, I don't think she would do anything." Hedjib replied confidently. "I wish I could share your optimism, I cannot help but worry that she would destroy us, that my actions all those years ago would result in the destruction of our land." Hedjib simply shook her head. "She cares too much to do something like that & I know she would never harm our son." "I hope you are right, my love, because we cannot hide the truth from her forever, her powers are growing, so my high priest tells me. Let us stop now & enjoy our time together." Ankhnetjer stated. The two relaxed & forgot all their worries for the rest of the afternoon, unaware of Messheps, the high priest's son, watching everything with revulsion & blissfully unaware of his vow to tell Nefersheps of the destruction of her people & destroy the line of Pharaoh's for them to take Egypt as revenge.
Messheps returned to his own studies in becoming a mage, as a High-Born, his magic potential was much higher than that of his father's, though nothing compared to his queen's, Nefersheps, daughter of the former king & queen of the Nobles, the last pure blood & ruler of the shadow realm & all it's creatures. He grinned slightly at this thought, he was the only other with the blood of the creators & he could use that power to reawaken the pact of darkness & make the human race suffer for their crimes. Messheps grin became a sadistic smirk, it was only a matter of time before he controlled everything, assuming his queen would allow it, Messheps was determined to follow her wishes & not betray her, as the human's had done. His smirk faded to a neutral expression as he heard his father approaching & he turned expectantly. The high priest smiled warmly at his son before speaking. "I have good news, Pharaoh has finally allowed me to start teaching the princess how to use the Shadow Magic she possesses. So she will also have to be told of her roots." Messheps stood shocked for a moment; he hadn't expected the pharaoh to tell her of his crimes, or of her real heritage. "Truly? She will be told everything?" His father nodded. "Yes Messheps, he knows he cannot hide the truth forever & her magic is being very strong now, she will need to be taught how to control it. We have both been invited to be there when the explanation is given. Now, no more questions, it is time for your lesson." Messheps merely nodded, still somewhat shocked by what he had been told & began his newest lesson with trepid anticipation for the meeting to come.
Nefersheps sat anxiously, wondering why she had been called here, along with the others present; she looked over to Saharen & saw that he was just as confused as she was. Saharen met her gaze briefly & tried to look reassuringly at her, she smiled in response & continued to look around at the others who had been called, the high priest & his son were nearer the door & the queen sat at the front of the room, they were waiting for the pharaoh to arrive. Nefersheps looked briefly at Messheps, he had sat with a slight smirk since he had arrived, though he was clearly also highly aggravated for having been kept waiting for so long, Nefersheps could only assume that he knew what this meeting was about & that it benefited him in some way. Nefersheps sighed quietly & walked to the window, hoping for something to take her mind off the growing feeling of dread. She heard the door open & turned round to see Pharaoh enter the room, she quickly took her seat & waited for him to begin. "Most of you know what this is about, for the two of you that don't, this will not be easy or pleasant for you." Pharaoh paused briefly, waiting for some sort of response, all Nefersheps did was look at Saharen & note that the unpleasant feeling had become much worse. "Saharen, Nefersheps, you are not truly related, Nefersheps is not my child, but rather one remaining survivor of a sinful act I committed long along." Once again, Pharaoh stopped there. Nefersheps looked over to Saharen, who was looking pleadingly at Pharaoh, hoping he would say it was a joke. "It doesn't matter Saharen, you're still my brother, even if not by blood & there is no need to continue any further Pharaoh, as I already know." Nefersheps replied & then closed her eyes, not wishing to see the responses of the others in the room. She heard someone get up & walk to her, she guessed this to be Messheps, this was proven to be correct when he spoke a few moments later. "You know what you are? What he did?" Nefersheps merely nodded & waited for him to continue. Messheps knelt down beside her before continuing. "You know you are Queen of the Noble & that all the power of the Shadow Realm is yours? You know Pharaoh destroyed our people? Then how can you sit here so calmly? How can you care for them? Humans destroyed them all, do you know what he did to your real parents?" Nefersheps opened her eyes at this & looked at him callously. "Yes, I said I know already, I was told a long time ago, when I was too young to fully understand, so I wouldn't be affected by it." "Who told you Nefersheps?" Pharaoh asked cautiously. "My protector, that is all I intend to say on the matter." Nefersheps replied firmly. "If you knew we weren't related, why didn't you ever tell me?" Saharen asked, his tone betraying his hurt. "I didn't want you to be upset, I didn't want things to change. We never expected him to admit this." Nefersheps kept the same detached tone, knowing that allowing her emotions any freedom would be regrettable. "Who is this 'we' Princess?" The high priest asked. "That is none of your concern. I assume the mage was present as you wished him to teach me how to control my 'gifts'? I shall assure you now that it is unnecessary & that he would be unable to do so anyway. May I be excused now? I have things to do." Nefersheps looked expectantly at Pharaoh & avoided Saharen's gaze. Pharaoh took a moment to absorb the information before nodding his consent; Nefersheps swiftly left the room, before anyone could ask any more questions she wished to avoid. Set stood waiting for her when she returned to her room. "You handled that well Nef, I'm proud of you. It's hard to believe that you've learnt so much already." "I've had good teachers, yourself, Dem, Elfin, Iset, I would be worried had I not learnt so much, with all the had work the four of you have put into teaching me." Nefersheps replied, keeping her tone emotionless. Set smiled at this. "Well, I expect you want to sneak out & see those commoners, so I shall leave you be. Once again, we are very proud of you." Then Set disappeared, returning to the shadow realm, where all 'duel monsters' reside. Nefersheps allowed a smile to grace her lips, before changing into less exquisite clothing & exiting the palace unnoticed.
Screaming filled the air as Pharaoh Ankhnetjer's army slaughtered the people residing within Perensheps. The villagers provided no resistance, too grief-filled after the murder of their own king & queen. Women & children stood huddled in the centre, surrounded by the men, Human, High- Born & Noble were all slain without a second thought as those humans that resided within Perensheps were regarded as traitors & their half-breed children were poison in the minds of both respective races. The Noble's felt they had been tarnished by human blood & their now-lacking willpower was not safe for the power they held, the great people that had created those that were used for Shadow Games were destroyed in a single day, as they wished for death & Pharaoh feared their power. This bloody massacre was never recorded, Pharaoh Ankhnetjer was determined to remove all traces of the Noble's & their existence, the pharaoh's of Egypt were the only ones who held power.
Ten years later, Pharaoh & his wife & Queen Hedjib sat peacefully in the royal garden relaxing & watching the prince & princess playing. Prince Saharen was taking a break from his studies & was relishing his free time with the princess, Nefersheps. Saharen barely got to spend any time with his sister, as their studies were at differing times, both had much to learn before they could fulfil their future positions as pharaoh & queen. Ankhnetjer sighed quietly & looked away from his children, that thought making him chuckle bitterly. "What is it dear?" Hedjib asked softly. "Them, her, how happy they are, I just thought of her as my own, you know?" Ankhnetjer snorted at that & looked at his wife when she placed her hand on his. "She is ours, not by blood, but she is ours. Nefersheps will make a good queen for Saharen & for Egypt." Hedjib replied. "What do you think she would do, were she to find out truth?" Ankhnetjer asked, almost rhetorically. "I think she would be somewhat hurt, but she sees us as family & cares deeply for Saharen, I don't think she would do anything." Hedjib replied confidently. "I wish I could share your optimism, I cannot help but worry that she would destroy us, that my actions all those years ago would result in the destruction of our land." Hedjib simply shook her head. "She cares too much to do something like that & I know she would never harm our son." "I hope you are right, my love, because we cannot hide the truth from her forever, her powers are growing, so my high priest tells me. Let us stop now & enjoy our time together." Ankhnetjer stated. The two relaxed & forgot all their worries for the rest of the afternoon, unaware of Messheps, the high priest's son, watching everything with revulsion & blissfully unaware of his vow to tell Nefersheps of the destruction of her people & destroy the line of Pharaoh's for them to take Egypt as revenge.
Messheps returned to his own studies in becoming a mage, as a High-Born, his magic potential was much higher than that of his father's, though nothing compared to his queen's, Nefersheps, daughter of the former king & queen of the Nobles, the last pure blood & ruler of the shadow realm & all it's creatures. He grinned slightly at this thought, he was the only other with the blood of the creators & he could use that power to reawaken the pact of darkness & make the human race suffer for their crimes. Messheps grin became a sadistic smirk, it was only a matter of time before he controlled everything, assuming his queen would allow it, Messheps was determined to follow her wishes & not betray her, as the human's had done. His smirk faded to a neutral expression as he heard his father approaching & he turned expectantly. The high priest smiled warmly at his son before speaking. "I have good news, Pharaoh has finally allowed me to start teaching the princess how to use the Shadow Magic she possesses. So she will also have to be told of her roots." Messheps stood shocked for a moment; he hadn't expected the pharaoh to tell her of his crimes, or of her real heritage. "Truly? She will be told everything?" His father nodded. "Yes Messheps, he knows he cannot hide the truth forever & her magic is being very strong now, she will need to be taught how to control it. We have both been invited to be there when the explanation is given. Now, no more questions, it is time for your lesson." Messheps merely nodded, still somewhat shocked by what he had been told & began his newest lesson with trepid anticipation for the meeting to come.
Nefersheps sat anxiously, wondering why she had been called here, along with the others present; she looked over to Saharen & saw that he was just as confused as she was. Saharen met her gaze briefly & tried to look reassuringly at her, she smiled in response & continued to look around at the others who had been called, the high priest & his son were nearer the door & the queen sat at the front of the room, they were waiting for the pharaoh to arrive. Nefersheps looked briefly at Messheps, he had sat with a slight smirk since he had arrived, though he was clearly also highly aggravated for having been kept waiting for so long, Nefersheps could only assume that he knew what this meeting was about & that it benefited him in some way. Nefersheps sighed quietly & walked to the window, hoping for something to take her mind off the growing feeling of dread. She heard the door open & turned round to see Pharaoh enter the room, she quickly took her seat & waited for him to begin. "Most of you know what this is about, for the two of you that don't, this will not be easy or pleasant for you." Pharaoh paused briefly, waiting for some sort of response, all Nefersheps did was look at Saharen & note that the unpleasant feeling had become much worse. "Saharen, Nefersheps, you are not truly related, Nefersheps is not my child, but rather one remaining survivor of a sinful act I committed long along." Once again, Pharaoh stopped there. Nefersheps looked over to Saharen, who was looking pleadingly at Pharaoh, hoping he would say it was a joke. "It doesn't matter Saharen, you're still my brother, even if not by blood & there is no need to continue any further Pharaoh, as I already know." Nefersheps replied & then closed her eyes, not wishing to see the responses of the others in the room. She heard someone get up & walk to her, she guessed this to be Messheps, this was proven to be correct when he spoke a few moments later. "You know what you are? What he did?" Nefersheps merely nodded & waited for him to continue. Messheps knelt down beside her before continuing. "You know you are Queen of the Noble & that all the power of the Shadow Realm is yours? You know Pharaoh destroyed our people? Then how can you sit here so calmly? How can you care for them? Humans destroyed them all, do you know what he did to your real parents?" Nefersheps opened her eyes at this & looked at him callously. "Yes, I said I know already, I was told a long time ago, when I was too young to fully understand, so I wouldn't be affected by it." "Who told you Nefersheps?" Pharaoh asked cautiously. "My protector, that is all I intend to say on the matter." Nefersheps replied firmly. "If you knew we weren't related, why didn't you ever tell me?" Saharen asked, his tone betraying his hurt. "I didn't want you to be upset, I didn't want things to change. We never expected him to admit this." Nefersheps kept the same detached tone, knowing that allowing her emotions any freedom would be regrettable. "Who is this 'we' Princess?" The high priest asked. "That is none of your concern. I assume the mage was present as you wished him to teach me how to control my 'gifts'? I shall assure you now that it is unnecessary & that he would be unable to do so anyway. May I be excused now? I have things to do." Nefersheps looked expectantly at Pharaoh & avoided Saharen's gaze. Pharaoh took a moment to absorb the information before nodding his consent; Nefersheps swiftly left the room, before anyone could ask any more questions she wished to avoid. Set stood waiting for her when she returned to her room. "You handled that well Nef, I'm proud of you. It's hard to believe that you've learnt so much already." "I've had good teachers, yourself, Dem, Elfin, Iset, I would be worried had I not learnt so much, with all the had work the four of you have put into teaching me." Nefersheps replied, keeping her tone emotionless. Set smiled at this. "Well, I expect you want to sneak out & see those commoners, so I shall leave you be. Once again, we are very proud of you." Then Set disappeared, returning to the shadow realm, where all 'duel monsters' reside. Nefersheps allowed a smile to grace her lips, before changing into less exquisite clothing & exiting the palace unnoticed.