Author's Info: Finally at ten chapters! Plus it's the start of the real chapter three! You start seeing things take a different turn in this chapter, although things will probably start slowing down more now. I'm catching up with all that I have typed. Thanks to everyone who has read my story thus far! I'm glad you like it. As for your comment Avalon's mists, no I did not know Akara was a Turkish boy's name, but I don't understand why there should be any issue about it. I had just come up with the name on the spot, and I had wanted something that would be somewhat constant with the fact her brother is the pharaoh Atem.
The "what"s: Listening to Silly-Go-Round by FictionJunction YUUKA and The Great Pretender by The Jon Frederik Band and thinking about how awesome my friends and family have been these past few days.
Disclaimer: If I owned Yu-Gi-Oh, I wouldn't be posting on Fan Fiction. I'd be going into places such as Barnes and Noble and Borders and seeing how many copies of my manga were being sold. Sadly, I don't, so I'm posting my story here for your viewing pleasure.
Extra Note: After doing some more research I found Akara was, in fact, a gender neutral name. It means "letter" in Cambodian.
Chapter Three: Gloomy Goodbyes
Half a year had passed since Akara and Seto came to an understanding. Since then, Akara spent more time helping him on his studies, and he was proving a willing companion during her own inquiries into the past. Still, they often had their disagreements. Akara knew her father was growing concerned over her refusal to consider him as a suitor. Whenever the subject was broached, she merely laughed and said they would be more likely to kill one another than kiss each other. She knew her father wanted her to notice him in that way, but she still refused. She knew the moment she began to pay attention to him trouble would begin. Still, she was beginning to enjoy having him train with her. In fact, today would be the first day she would use her ka against him in battle.
Her uncle Aknadin was still showing considerable favoritism toward Guardian Seto, but they had all learned to ignore it. Often Akara would work with the other members of the Millennium Court, or she would assist Atem's teachers. Sometimes she would train with Mahad. Although her magic was not at his level, she proved skilled enough to challenge him and improve her own techniques and skills. She knew the tactics she had learned would prove useful in today's challenge, especially since she wasn't sure how much the High Priest knew of her skills. This would be about more than just battling with their kas: she would have to outmatch him in battle, which meant weaponry and horseback riding could prove vital. She just hoped she had saved up enough energy to combat him with all her might.
"Sister!" she heard her brother call, making her turn and smile and he walking over to her. "I hear you will be dueling Guardian Seto today. Are you prepared to face his Duos?"
"I believe I am more than ready to defeat not only his Duos, but Guardian Seto himself!" she said with a playful smile. Atem grinned as he walked with her to the designated courtyard for their battle.
"You are quite confident in your skills, Sister," he said with a smile, "but are you sure you will defeat him so easily? Guardian Seto has come quite far since he joined us ten months ago. He may prove more difficult than you give him credit for."
"With all respect, Brother," she said with a smirk, "I would be willing to wager that even though Guardian Seto has come far, and his Duos is quite strong, the gods are in favor of my victory. He has not seen my skills before, and he does not know what he is getting into. If you're wondering what I am willing to wager, I will tell you that if I should lose this battle, I will spend the entire evening with Guardian Seto at any place of your choosing; however, if I should win, I shall be left to my own devices this evening, and no one is to disturb me. Do we have an accord, dear brother?"
"So let it be written, so let it be done," he said with a smirk as they shook hands.
"You are certainly confident in your victory, my lady," she heard the High Priest say. She turned and faced him, smirking as she saw his rather irate expression. "Perhaps you should be more aware of your opponent's skills before assuming an easy victory."
"Quite the contrary, High Priest," she said as her smirk grew. "I know exactly who my opponent is, and the strength of his ka. It is you who does not know his adversary. Perhaps you will learn your lesson during this battle." She put on her diadankh and grabbed a sword. She readied herself and watched as Guardian Seto got into a fighting stance and waited for the command from Aknadin.
"Begin!" she heard him say. At that she saw Guardian Seto raise the arm with the diadankh into the air and she rushed toward him and attempted to slash at him with her sword. She saw his eyes widen and she smirked.
"What are you doing, Lady Akara?" he asked angrily. "We are supposed to be fighting with our ka! The swords aren't meant to be our primary means!" She slashed at him again, but his sword blocked hers and forced her to move back.
"In a real battle, not everyone will wait for you to summon your precious ka! If you cannot summon them quickly, you should be prepared for an assault! There will always be someone who will try to stop you from summoning your ally! Remember that!" She moved to the opposite end of where the High Priest stood and raised her diadankh. "Gods of Egypt, hear my plea! Send the mystic guardian in my need. When two become one and magic takes flight, send Draconic Mage, the light in the night! Ra, hear my plea! Send my ka in my hour of need!"
Suddenly, a figure appeared behind Akara. He was tall and dressed in black garbs. He wore the customary armor of the magician, but with some changes. Over his forehead was the image of a dragon's eyes, and his breastplate resembled that of a dragon's chest. He hovered above the ground, despite not having wings, and he clutched a staff that bore the image of a mystic dragon, complete with wings. His hair was darker than the raven's plumage, yet his eyes were the silver of the full moon in the dead of night. He glowed with a faint aura resembling the same color of his eyes. Akara smiled to him as he knelt before her, while Guardian Seto merely stared on in wonder.
"I am sent by the gods to protect you and the future pharaoh, my lady," he said. "Command me as you wish, for I am your humble servant."
"Draconic Mage, my faithful friend and servant, it is time we tested our skills in battle," she said. "As soon as our opponent has summoned his ka, you will show your prowess. Use all your might, but do not destroy him; this is an ally and a friend. So let it be written, so let it be done."
"As you wish, my lady," Draconic Mage said before turning and looking at the High Priest.
"Now do you understand what you are up against, Guardian Seto?" she said teasingly. "I warned you I was not being overconfident or undermining your abilities. It was you who misjudged me yet again. There was always more than one reason I became High Priestess. You are seeing one of the benefits of my own magical studies. Now, summon your ka so that we may commence with this battle."
"Duos, I summon you!" she heard him cry out. She watched as his ka appeared. "Duos, attack her Draconic Mage now! I order you in the name of the Pharaoh!" Akara smirked as she watched Duos charge in for the attack, but she did not wait to see how her ka would fare. She drew her sword once again and began to attack the High Priest. She saw he was once again outraged that she would attack him in such a way, but she only laughed at his indignity.
"Such is the way of battle, Priest. There will come times where you must fight side-by-side with your ka in order for you to protect those around you. You may not be outnumbered here, but there will come a time that will happen. I am merely the one bold enough to ensure you learn an important lesson!" She lunged in for another attack, only to notice him take a blow. She stopped the sword inches from his chest and moved it to his throat. "Draconic Mage, is Duos down?"
"Yes, my lady, but not badly harmed, as commanded."
"Then I do believe this battle is over. Will you concede with honor, or must I continue?" she asked. She saw him look up at her coldly for a moment, but he then lowered his head.
"I will admit defeat. You are the victor of this battle, my lady," he admitted. She sheathed her sword and held her hand out to him.
"You are coming along quickly, Guardian Seto, and Duos is growing ever stronger. If you continue to train as you have, I have no doubt you will become quite powerful." She turned to her ka once the High Priest was standing. She walked to him and smiled. "You have served me well, my mage. I look forward to when we next fight side-by-side. May the gods smile upon you and give you strength."
"And you, Lady Akara," she heard him say. "May the gods protect you and give you the guidance you seek through the difficult times ahead. Remember that whenever you are in need of me, I will always come to your aid, for I am ever your faithful servant." With that, her ka returned to his stone tablet, which was located in her own creature sanctuary. She looked to her brother and smiled.
"It seems I have won our wager, my brother. If you could please tell our honorable father I will not be attending supper this night, I would be most grateful. Tonight I will be undergoing a cleansing ritual, and I will dine alone. If you will all excuse me, I shall retire to my chambers to prepare." She inclined her head in respect of those present and began to make her way to her chambers. As she did, she was aware of a strange expression on the High Priest's face. She wondered if there was something wrong with him, but shook her head. She reminded herself she would need utmost concentration and clarity of mind as she performed the cleansing ritual; it was the best chance she had of ensuring the gods would hear her prayers.