Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh! It belongs to Kazuki Takahashi.

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Chapter 2

The ground shock as yet another large stone slammed into it. The people of the city ran in terror, screaming for their loved ones. As they ran they were persuaded by Romans Soldiers, who tore after them chasing them away from their homes. The Romans were bombarding the city, targeting homes; they also targeted the Palace as they drew closer. They took everything in sight, scared the people off and took their treasures. But the soldiers did not harm them, apart for the few fist fights when some fought back. Up in the Palace, the Pharaoh paced up and down. He and his Guardians were in the Throne Room, which was the most easily protected room. He could hear the bangs as the rocks hit the walls or ground, the screams of his people and the laughter of the Romans. As he paced a guard came hurrying into the room.

"My King, the Romans have entered the city! They are terrorising the people, coming closer and closer to the Palace."

Aknamkanon looked at the Guard. The Romans had got into the city; they were coming to the Palace. What were they trying to do?

"Go. Get in to the town, protect the people!" Aknamkanon ordered and the guard ran off, he called to the retreating back, "And, if you see my son make sure he is safe."

With all eyes on him, he began to pace again. He had to protect the people; all of the guards were out trying to protect the Palace and the people. It was not clear whether the Romans were going to try and take over the town or simply loot it. But they were doing everything they could to get Romans out. His main concern was for his people and son. He had not seen or heard from Atem since the bombardment started and he prayed he was alright.

The man sat astride his horse, surveying the scene in front of him. This man wore a red tunic which was covered by an iron muscle cuirass. He had long cape draped over his shoulders. Atop his head was a helmet which had a large crest made from feathers. Around him were other men astride their horses, but they were not as grandly dressed as he was. They were back from the battle; the ongagers were in front of them. Men rushed about them, hauling large rocks into them and waiting for their commander's call to release them. Behind the onagagers were Legions who were, for the moment, being held in reserve whilst some of the Legionnaires were already in the city. They had learnt from the scout that the city's military and garrison would not stand up to their power, which was why some of the Legions were being held in reserve. The man was glazing at the distant city so intently that his attention was only diverted when an older man dressed in a long white tunic approached his horse and addressed him directly.

"I must complement you General; this battle seems to be going well." Marcus Matius Bodenius said, craning his neck to see the General, "I warned them what would happen should they refuse. What is our plan? Are you going to take over the city?"

The General looked down at the Diplomat, "Plan of battle is to be shared with no-one but myself and my commanders Marcus. But, what I can say is that the Emperor does not wish us to take over the city. He wants us to make the Egyptians submit to our rule. This..." He indicated the battle in front of him, "is a scare tactic."

"And I believe you shall be successful!" Marcus proclaimed.

The General smiled, "I thank you. For your own safety, I believe that you should return to the encampment."

Marcus made to speak but recognised the dismissal. The General turned his attention back to the battle; he called over his commanders of the ongagers telling him to change targets to the Palace. They needed to bring to scare tactic to the mighty Pharaoh himself. The General, whose name was Potitus Olcinus Cinna, was no novice when it came to sieging cities or any type of battle. He'd been a General for nearly three years now so he knew what he was doing. He continued to watch the ongager unload their ammunition but a scout caught his attention as he raced over on his horse.

"General! The walls of the Palace are breached!"

Potitus smirked, this was what he wanted.

"Send the message to the Commander Sentius that I want a group of legionaries waiting by the breach and I will join them directly."

The scout nodded, saluted the General before racing off on his horse, back in the direction of the battle. The General called to the onagers to stop firing and turned to the men on horses around him, he rallied them with a war cry before galloping towards the city.

He was running faster than perhaps he had ever run in his life. Every now and again the whole palace shook as the flying stones came crashing into the walls. As the walls shook he would sometimes stumble or other times he would fall to the ground. But never the less, he kept on running. Atem had been watching the approaching army from the balcony for a while, a little too long. He had watched the bombardment begin and seen the people running from these soldiers; he couldn't stand it his heart broke from all of those people suffering. But he knew that there was little he could do. Why were these people here? What was going on? It was only when a large rock collided the wall beside him that he had started to run. He needed to find his father and discover what in the world was going on. He knew that his father would be in the Throne Room so that was where he was heading. He could see the room coming closer, he was almost there. Then there was an ear splitting bang; Atem was thrown high into the air. He seemed to soar through the air, before crashing back to the floor although with pieces of rubble. All the air was forced out of lungs, for a moment he just lay on his floor trying to get air back into his lungs. Hands grabbed him, pulling him to his feet. Aknamkanon pulled his son in hug.

"Are you alright my son?" He asked, inspecting his son's appearance.

"Yes," Atem said, still attempting to bring air back into his lungs, "Father, what is going on? I saw these people firing on the palace. Why are they here?"

Aknamkanon didn't answer for a moment; he was going to have to tell his son what was going on. So he explained, he told his son everything about the Romans and their intentions towards their people.

"So what you ask me earlier, it wasn't a scenario it was real?"

"Yes it was real; I did not know that they were planning to do this. Now, my son you must hide yourself. I will come and get you when it's safe."

Atem shook his head, "No Father! I am staying with you, this room can be protected. I am staying."

"No." Aknamkanon took a stern tone, "Hide you in the place that only you and I know about. I will come and get you when it's safe. I promise."

Atem looked into his father's eyes; he could see that he was not being asked to go he was being told to go. Sighing, he nodded. Aknamkanon smiled and drew his son in for another hug before ushering him to the door. His son gave him a look; it was a last attempt to persuade him to let him stay.

"Trust me." Aknamkanon whispered.

Atem gazed at his father for a moment before he turned and sprinted off back down the way he can come. He sped round the corner but something made him come to a stop. A group of men were a few metres away. They were dressed in fine armour, swords by their sides and some carried shields. One was wearing a helmet with a crest of feathers. The Romans stopped and stared at Atem, Atem stared back.

"Is that the Pharaoh?" A Roman solider asked, pointing at Atem.

"No, he's too young." Another said.

The General stared at the boy, who still hadn't moved, he knew who this was. A thought came to him; this boy might be useful in breaking the Egyptians and forcing them to submit. The soldiers around him were still arguing about the boy but when their General raised his hand they stopped talking immediately.

"This boy… is the Prince of Egypt." The General said, never taking his eyes off the Prince, "Lucius."

The General motioned with his hand for the solider named Lucius come to his side, he then held out his hand – his eyes had still not left the Prince.

"Give me your sword and shield."

Lucius did so, looking between his General and the Egyptian Prince. The Prince was backing away slightly.

"Get him."

Not wasting another second Lucius took off like a bullet towards the Prince, who sprinted in the other direction. The General smirked, moving after the two with the rest of his men following closer behind.

The Captain of the Guard came sprinting into the throne room, his face was slightly bloody but he was unharmed.

"My King, the walls of the palace has been breached! We have seen Romans entering through the breach, they are inside the palace!"

"Which side of the palace?" The Pharaoh asked, fear in his veins, his face paling.

"The East side."

Aknamkanon stumbled, his blood running cold. Atem was in the East side, he'd told him to go there. He had made a terrible mistake.

"You must retrieve the Prince; he went to the East side! Go get him!"

Nekht had barely made it to the door leading to the East side of the Palace when it burst open. The Romans entered; at the front was their General. Just the sight of him struck fear into their veins though they did not show it. Even though there were not many Romans they outnumbered them easily. The General stepped forwards; his gaze looked on the Pharaoh.

"Pharaoh, we meet at last."

Aknamkanon said nothing, but just stared back. He tried to not let any fear appear on his face, he was terrified that as the Romans had come from the East Side, where Atem had been going, that his son now lay dead on the floor.

"I have something to show you, Pharaoh." Potitus said, still staring at him as he raised his hand and beckoned to something behind him.

A solider came into view, he had someone headlock. Aknamkanon's blood ran cold. The solider had his son in a headlock. Atem looked unharmed; his hands were tied behind his back. His eyes found his father.

"We warned of the consequences of refusing. You shall be punished for your stubbornness. I will be taking your son from you today."

"No!" Aknamkanon called, stepping forwards, "Please! Spare my son, he's innocent. Take me instead!"

"I'm afraid I must refuse your offer Pharaoh." Potitus taunted, in mock politeness.

Aknamkanon looked towards his son who was looking straight back at him, tears swelled in the Pharaoh's eyes. Potitus indicated to the Lucius to take the Prince away. The Prince struggled as he was pulled away but the older, stronger man easily over-powered him.

"I take my leave of you Pharaoh. May you never forget the cost of this mistake." The General's voice was cold and harsh. "May the weight of this mistake bear down on your, for the rest of your existence."

There was nothing he could do; the Romans retreated back into corridor. Tears fell from his eyes; the people around him were asking him what they do. The guards were asking whether they chase the Romans. But there was only one voice he listened to. It was a shout, a distant shout of;

"Father!"

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