Title: Frustration
Warning: None! *gasp*
Disclaimer: I do not own YGO!
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"Seto?" Atem's voice broke through the stillness of the priest's room, uncertainty tinged the name as he stared mournfully at the latter's back; the stance signified Seto's displeasure.
"Leave!" the priest replied firmly. "I wish to be alone."
Atem suspected he was the reason Seto was troubled so he willingly complied with the request. The stubborn priest was a pain to deal with in that temperament. It was better to let him cool off.
So the pharaoh left.
With a heavy sigh, the sulking priest turned around and stared at the empty spot Atem had stood only moments ago. Releasing the death-grip on his Millennium Rod, Seto moodily recalled the events that led to this predicament and his current irritation.
The day had started rather uneventful. Court had begun with him performing an exorcism that was too tedious for words so he offered to torture the prisoner for amusement instead.
Akhenaden reproached him for his cruelty.
Subsequently smarting from the rebuke, Seto maliciously criticised Mahado for his incompetence in protecting the Royal Tombs from robbers. To see his rival squirm from the accusation and then humble himself for forgiveness was immensely satisfying.
Seto smirked at the recollection.
But the effects were short-lived, Atem pardoned the sorcerer all too easily and it displeased Seto. Preparing for another jab at the disgraced man, chaos ensued with the appearance of Bakura!
That damn thief!
Laden with the spoils of his raid, the tomb robber mocked everyone around him with his vulgarity and crude demands for the Millennium Items. The size of that man's ego was laughable, thought Seto dryly as he itched to teach that bastard a lesson. Perhaps, the day wasn't going to be dull after all! Seto thought gleefully.
Stepping out, the priest challenged the thief to a duel—but the battle did not fare too well for the former. Goaded by the tomb raider, confidence and cockiness oozed from Seto as he assured the latter that one servant of his was enough to defeat his opponent. Even when Akhenaden tried to reason with him—begged him to combine forces with the other priests, Seto would not have it! "My power alone is enough to handle this nuisance!" he scoffed, provoking Bakura to jeer at the belief. It galled the haughty man more.
Maybe that was the reason for his downfall, his self-assuredness and the inability to see beyond sheer power. He relied on brute strength alone and that was his shortcoming. The thief was able to defeat him through cunning deception.
That devious bastard!
Humiliation resulted in that match; it bought gasps of surprise from his fellow peers and it hurt his pride to lose in front of Atem.
The youth remained silent throughout; composed, majestic and calm until he discovered the bound body that Bakura was carelessly dragging around was his royal father. Usually the one to avoid conflicts, it surprised and thrilled Seto to see Atem exhibit such steely determination when he threatened to "beat the shit" out of the offender. The words uttered with icy conviction sent shivers down his spine.
The Pharaoh has spoken.
At once, Bakura seized the opportunity of Atem's carelessness and ordered his beast to ambush the pharaoh. At that moment in time, Seto thought his heart was going to stop when he saw the monster rush towards Atem. Yet he was immobilised…unable to move! He could hear Akhenaden's order to protect the pharaoh but it wasn't until Mahado responded, did Seto spur into action. To the others it may look like petty rivalry but to him, it had a deeper significance—he could not allow the cur to protect what was his!
He succeeded to thwart Bakura's attack but it was a close call. Even now, his heart throbbed fretfully and painfully at the recollection of how he had almost lost Atem.
Atem…
The proud pharaoh, the wilful youth and his beautiful lover—the different personas of an individual Seto was familiar with…or so he thought.
The chosen one…
The wielder of the hidden power, the one destined to command the Gods!
Atem…?
How was he supposed to surpass that kind of power? Until now, never had the gap between them seem so great. It hurt him immeasurably because it meant he would never be able to protect him. Atem would never need his protection because he, Seto, would be the weaker one.
The realisation evoked rage and sorrow.
All those lonely years, studying and training, yearning for his lord and master to notice him, to want him and to acknowledge him, he thrived to be his equal. And just when he thought he had achieved it…luck cruelly abandons him. He knew he would never be equal to Atem in status; that would be an impossible goal to obtain so he contented himself with being evenly matched with Atem in intimacy and strength. But now…
Shit!
After driving a fist into the wall, he turned and marched out of the room. He needed to rectify that problem. He refused to be beaten!
O-o-O-o-O
Inside the Shrine of Wedju beneath the burning torchlight, two members of the Sacred Guardians met discreetly.
Akhenaden, overawed by the day's event, reminisced on how the Pharaoh was able to save everyone's lives with the aid of the Gods. Indeed, the Mighty Obelisk was fearfully impressive!
Blue-eyes stared up at the three stone tablets displayed high on the wall.
The Gods…
Images of Atem with the almighty Obelisk towering above him invaded his mind; it was magnificent and yet dispiriting to behold.
I need to get stronger!
There had to be a Ka to match that of the Pharaoh's—all he needed to do is to find it. He glanced at the three silent Gods again.
I will create a Ka to surpass a God! The younger guardian promised to himself as tendrils of a plan began to take form in his mind.
Smirking slyly, Seto turned to his companion and declared, "I have an idea, Lord Akhenaden…"
~TBC~
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A/N: Thoughts anyone?