Strawberrylover - I call him a MAIN character! Yeah… I almost always kill one or two off.
Shibby-One - You'll get more then cookies for reading it. Check out EoA in June…
Ente - Thanks for the lengthy review again. You are really helping me out with that. I can't express how much!
Jessiejames - Thanks for the support! I may ask for the guy below here…
SilverWolfe3636 - Listen, I'm serious, you may be a dedicated fan, but do NOT bash Yugi on my time, got that!? He happens to be my fav, and it was really hard to kill im off. Second, the biggest problem about this death was that it happened mid-chapter, leaving almost no time to reflect before the action. As for the action, I admit it was a bit slapped together. I will update DBUF soon, now that this story is done, and finals are next week. Yugiohchix2008 - I think he went out with honor in this! And don't forget, he lost his past life's memories, too!
K Yami Yugi29 - Whoopie!! I made someone cry!!
Everyone else: glare
Cat-Star4 - comforts Yes, Minkabh is a dick, but that's what I wanted to convey. Hope you enjoy this chapter!
.
Una: I waited for Serafina again, and digigirl, and Kyoko....
Yami: The risk of killing off a character!
Una: They were just busy.
Bardock: You're losing your touch!
Yugi: You don't want to get updated, do you, Bardock-san?
Amidamaru: Now, prepare for the longest chapter of all, and the most depressing!
FW: NOTE TO EVERYONE!!! Una almost cut this chapter in half, but I stopped her!!
Una: Yes, Female Writer convinced me that it was better word-for-word and not summerized. They are still no where near as long as her stories.
Oh, this chapter was inspired by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross' book "On Death and Dying", in which the five stages of grief are defines as Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, and Acceptance.
/Naeem's thought-speak./
Atem's thought-speak.
Shukura's thought-speak.
=Kei's thought-speak.=
==Seto's thought-speak.==
Chapter 13
Acceptance
.
I'm so tired of being here
Suppressed by all my childish fears
And if you have to leave
I wish that you would just leave
Cause your presence still lingers here
And it won't leave me alone
"Jabari, for the hundredth time, stop deluding yourself!"
"Its no de-nothin'! Naeem's body was never found, so he might still be out there washed ashore!!"
Shimon shook his head as his nomad pupil stuffed some spare food from the kitchens into his bag. Jabari had suddenly taken up this idea that Naeem would still be alive, and it saddened the old man to see such a young, promising lad in such self-denial. After nearly a week of silence, he'd come storming out of his room, packing his bags.
Jabari handed the bag of food off to a servant. "Tie this up to my horse."
"Yes, Lord Jabari," the boy said.
"I ain't never gonna get used to that," Jabari said after the boy left.
Shimon chuckled. "Priest Akunadean made you his apprentice out of gratitude for saving his life. And you still refuse the personal training to be the next Millennium Eye Holder?"
"You bet!"
"Jabari my boy, Naeem is gone! No matter what you tell yourself-"
Jabari shook his head. "No! He's alive! He's just hurt or something! An' I've been stupid for not going out to look for him until now!"
"I know it hurts, but-"
"Listen, old man," Jabari growled, "nothing is gonna prove to me he's dead except a body! You got that!?"
A servant girl entered the room, but almost left when she heard Jabari's tone of voice. "Wait," Shimon called out to her gently. "What is your message, young one?"
The girl bowed. "Begging your pardon, sirs, but three people have come asking for Lord Jabari right away."
Jabari cocked an eyebrow. "No kiddin'? Who would visit me?"
To answer his question, the three came into the room. One of them, a young girl of thirteen, ran over and hugged him. "Brother," Sati exclaimed. "I've missed you so much!" [1]
Jabari returned the embrace, and saw his mother and fellow nomad friend, Ziyad, standing at the doorway. "Mom… Sati… Ziyad… What're you guys doing here?" [1]
"We came as soon as we heard," started Ziyad.
Sati raised her sparkling eyes to look directly into her brother's. "Is it true," she asked. "Did Naeem really die?"
Jabari opened his mouth and closed it again. He could easily lie to himself, but not his sister. Instead, he turned his face away. Sati got the answer by this, and rested her head on his chest. "I… I didn't want to believe it, but… Oh gods!"
Shimon took her and guided her to a box to sit. Ziyad sat beside her and put his arms around her. Evidently, they were now husband and wife. "How'd it happen?" [2]
"What have you heard," asked Shimon.
"Rumor is the pharaoh and priests came down with some sort of sickness, an' Naeem was the only one to die from it. But I don't buy that! Sounds like a governmental cover-up to me!"
Shimon nodded. At least the rumor he helped spread had done its job properly. "It is just that. The truth is Naeem sacrificed his life to save the pharaoh and other captives aboard a foreign ship. I realize the rumor is harsh, and an insult to Naeem's true courage, but," Shimon cleared his throat to stop it from shaking, "it is necessary to save Pharaoh's reputation."
The older woman walked over to her son, who still kept his face turned away from everyone else. "Jabari, are you alright?"
Jabari's eyes shook slightly, but he said nothing. His mother tried to take his hands, but Jabari pushed them away and made to leave. "Where will you go," asked Shimon.
"I…" Jabari kept his back to them and put his hand against the wall. "I… don't know…I…" His legs gave wave, and he sunk to his knees again. Reality was hitting him so hard! "I don't know… anything anymore…I just…just…"
His mother hurried over and put her arms around him. "When is the funeral," Ziyad asked.
"We never found the body. It got lost at sea."
Sati gasped. "Then… what about his soul? What happened to it?"
Shimon's voice shook noticeably now. "No one knows. Not even our most powerful shaman, Lady Kei."
.
These wounds won't seem to heal
This pain is just too real
There's just too much that time can not erase
.
Kei's fingers caressed the charms she held in her frail, quivering hands. Her raspy, rough voice muttered prayers and spells over and over in the temple she'd met Naeem in nearly a week ago. Strange how so much could change in such a short time.
The once proud shaman's hair drooped with sweat, sand, salt, and any bugs that decided to feast upon the unmoving figure. She still wore her dining tunic, not having changed since she'd left the dining hall and had been captured. As soon as she returned to Thebes, she marched straight to the temple. She refused to move from her spot of prayer, insisting she attempt to find Naeem's spirit herself. She stretched her powers and senses to their fullest strain.
But so far she'd felt nothing. The sun rose and fell, but Kei paid it no heed. Many people came up and offered her their condolences or some water. She took nothing. She wanted nothing, except to see her 'brother' again.
Her chapped lips bled from lack of nutrition and constant movement. Deep, dark circles sagged under her glassy eyes. No sleep, no sleep at all for days. The only one she allowed near her was Lilac, her cat, who provided warmth at night by sitting on her lap. She mad no objections to her master's constant prayers.
=Hathor, great mother, help me find Naeem. Horus, protector of the crown, help me find your descendent. Bes, protector of homes, search for him please. Ma'at, speaker of truth, tell me where he is…=
"Every time I get near her," explained Shdi to Isis one morning, "she pushes me away with her magic. But we cannot let her continue this way."
"She will kill herself. Or go insane. Poor thing!"
"She also has divine sanctuary in these walls."
=Selket, watcher of the dead, protect him until he is found. Isis, mother of magic, find your lost lamb. Tefnut, divine warrior, find him. Tekenu, burial god, find him…=
"So, what can we do?"
Mahado joined them at the doorway of the temple. "I told Pharaoh about the gravity of Kei's condition, and he's given us heavenly permission to force her out."
"Excellent! But how?"
"Seto is coming with a sleeping draft."
=Wepwawet, fortune-teller of the gods, give me the true sight to find him. Hapi, lord of the Nile, find him in your midst…= [3]
A strong hand fell on her shoulder. Kei felt Seto enter the temple, and she couldn't bare to push him away. She hadn't the strength anymore. "Kei, let's go. You need your rest."
Kei turned her head to look at Seto. There were people around him; Isis, Shadi, Mahado, and Shukura, all with an expression of concern. "I haven't found him yet," Kei said in her raspy voice.
"We know, Sister Kei," said Shukura kindly. "But you can't go on like this!"
"I need to find him…"
Isis bent down. "Kei, you need rest."
Kei shook her head slightly. "No! Not now! Not yet!"
Seto held up a small bottle. "Drink this, and you will go into an dreamless sleep for a couple of days. No nightmares, no memories, just simple rest. Your body needs it, Love."
"No," Kei insisted more fiercely. "I promised I'd find him! The gods won't help me! I still…" The figures faded, and Kei almost collapsed, but Isis supported her.
Seto gave a short, soft growl of exasperation, pulled the cover off, put the vile to his own lips, and drained the contents into his mouth. He then lifted Kei's chin, pressed his lips to hers, and transferred the potion.
Tears fell down her cheeks. =I failed him…=
==No, my little Kei. Your heart is as strong as ever. But your body needs sleep.==
Kei nodded in acceptance, and allowed the darkness of sleep to take her.
Seto picked her up easily. "I'll take her to bed."
The others nodded. Seto walked away slowly, thinking about Kei's remorse. 'What's the point of carrying on,' he thought. 'Just because his soul is lost doesn't mean that its dead! All souls continue on forever. He'll be found! What's the big deal?'
He looked at Kei's peaceful, sleeping face. 'Dammit, Kei! I'd better see that golden smile on your lips once you wake up!'
When you cried I'd wipe away all of your tears
When you'd scream I'd fight away all of your fears
And I held your hand through all of these years
But you still have all of me
Priest Seto passed by the training grounds with Kei in his arms, and heard kids practice sword fighting. His head snapped back around when he heard one say the name "Rei." Seto saw one with short, curly hair dressed in a black tunic fighting a boy much younger with a nemes and shining crown. Two other boys watched as the others practiced. The youngest boy got tripped and landed hard on his rump. He cried out, "Ow! I broke my ass!!"
The other children laughed, and the one with spiked hair bent down to help his brother. "What kind of form was that," he asked.
"I wanted to try something myself. Didn't work?"
"It would have," said the other boy in a far colder tone, "if you actually had your balance!"
The young one smiled painfully, and nodded. "'Kay! I'll work on that!"
Priest Seto took a single step towards the children, just to get a better look, but they disappeared. He blinked a couple of times and shook his head. 'I must also be really tired!'
"You see them too, don't you?"
Seto ignored the reaction to sneer at the Queen of Kemet, who stood next to him now. "You've had flashes of memories." It was a statement, not a question.
"I see nothing."
Shukura ignored the lie. "I see them, too. Whenever I pass by my old house, that shack where we used to play, or when I go into the garden where we first met, I see Naeem. But just when I almost see his face, he fades away."
Seto made a 'Keh' sound. "Don't put me on the same level as you, Shukura. I believe Naeem's death should be revered, not mourned."
"Oh? How come?"
"You know my position on Fate! He's probably the only one among us besides Kei who turned down everything to do what he wanted, and not follow what we all told him to do. He may have annoyed me to no end, and caused more trouble then he solved, but I respected him. He lived, and died, by his personal honor. And no one but us will truly know that, thanks to this damn political conspiracy!"
They both stood there for a minute. Then Shukura bent over and whispered to the sleeping form, "You were right, Kei. He's much nicer than he normally lets on!"
Seto scowled. "Excuse me, Your Highness," he snapped, walking past her, "but I need to get my wife to bed."
.
You used to captivate me by your resonating mind
Now I'm bound by the life you left behind
Your face it haunts my once pleasant dreams
Your voice it chased away all the sanity in me
.
No one was there when Atem woke up after the battle, but it didn't seem to matter. He didn't call for anyone, or actually say anything. His first question was as to Seto and Kei's well-being. He ordered that Kei be removed from the temple, but after that, just went to his own room.
The next morning, and the mornings after that, he only spoke to give orders or reply to requests from his subjects. He mechanically followed through his regular routine, spending all of his time to work and none for himself. He barely acknowledged Shimon or his wife. He did not say a word about Naeem, Minkabh, or anything else to that extent. When Shimon brought up the subject of a special funeral for him with a fake mummy, Atem turned it down and moved on to the next order of business. When people came to offer gifts of commiseration, Atem accepted them, then gave them to his high officials.
This attitude frightened Shukura. This wasn't the same man she married a year before. This man had a face and voice of stone. He shed no tear, much less show any emotion at all but occasional annoyance or anger.
Most insisted she remain silent about it, saying that because Pharaoh represented Ra, he was merely acting as though he was solid as rock. Shukura replied, "I didn't marry a statue!"
A minor distraction came when Captain Acamus, leader of the imprisoned soldiers, requested an audience with the "nice, kind woman" he'd spoken to before. He did not look surprised when Shukura explained, calmly, that she was the real Queen of Kemet, nor that the pharaoh had never planned to attack other nations with the Duel Monsters.
"Minkabh is a demon and a liar," said Acamus with a bite in his voice. "I know this, but my emperor will not."
"I'll send an ambassador back to your country with you."
"No, Queen Shukura! You must come with me! For my own reasons, I trust you and you alone."
"I understand, but I need to ask Pharaoh first."
Thus, Shukura found herself entering the throne room only two weeks after the incident on the Nile to speak with her cold-as-stone husband about leaving Kemet.
He was speaking to a couple of priests about something, and paid her no heed. "I wish for no more delay. The period of mourning has ended, and the servants must return to their normal tasks."
"Sire," Seto said, "some of the citizens have arrived with gifts of flowers and fruit. One villager even brought spices from the east."
"It is not necessary," said Atem, slightly angered. "The royal family does not accept gifts for the dead after a week long period." He leaned back in his throne. "Even my father's death did not result in so many offerings."
"Husband," Shukura said. Atem did not look up at her, but the priests turned around as she advanced on them. "Naeem's death was unexpected, and the people needed time to bring proper offerings." Her throat ached from trying not to break down again. "He spent so much time with the people… It makes sense they'd want to honor his memory."
Atem took a deep breath and sat up straight. 'He looks so distant,' thought Shukura. 'I wonder if he even really thinks much of anything anymore.'
Seto nodded in agreement. "The queen has a point, Sire."
"Very well, then," said Atem, waving a tired hand. "Accept the gifts and distribute them amongst yourselves. I don't want anything."
Karim said, "Your Highness has not eaten much since He woke up. You must keep up your strength!"
"I'm not hungry."
"Sire-"
Atem's eyes flashed a dangerous spark of red, more than he had in days. "You are dismissed from my presence, Karim!"
Both priests bowed themselves out, leaving Shukura alone with Pharaoh. She walked cautiously up to him, sitting down at his feet, and setting her head on his lap. "You must re-join the world of the living someday, Dearest One."
Atem pretended to ignore her. They sat in silence for a few minutes, and he finally asked, "Have those damn foreigners left yet?"
"No, not yet. Actually," she lifted her head, "that is what I must speak with you about. Their king still thinks you wish to be his enemy. Minkabh had them so convinced…" She trailed off.
"I don't give a damn for politics anymore," muttered Atem. "He can complain to his own gods for all I care."
Shukura tenderly put her hand on his. "He is powerful. He may send more soldiers and magicians to attack the kingdom. I was thinking… well, the soldiers like me, and they suggested that perhaps I could go as an emissary-"
Atem's eyes flickered to her, furious. "No! I forbid it!"
"But, Dearest-"
His eyes only flared more. "Need I repeat myself?"
"No, I heard you."
"It is far too dangerous! I shall not allow you to leave my side!"
"I feel I can do more good as a peacekeeper than stand here and do nothing all day. I see no sense in-"
Atem violently pulled his hand away and smacked her! She held her cheek and moved away as he stood up. "I am Pharaoh! My word is Law, and my will Kemet's desire! You dare question my judgment?!"
Shukura's heart pounded hard. What HAD happened to her husband? "Dearest, I meant no disrespect!"
He rounded on her, grabbed her shoulders, and lifted her to her feet with more strength than she knew he possessed. His fingers, so cold, dug into her skin. "Hold your traitorous tongue, or I shall have it removed!"
Shukura looked deep into Atem's eyes. Surly, there was a shred of his old self left! Naeem's death could not have destroyed it all, could it? [4]
"Dearest," Shukura said softly, "you never had a chance to grieve over your brother's death. If you hold it in, your soul will be eaten away by bitterness and hate. And he wouldn't want that!"
A flicker of understanding passed through Atem's eyes, but he remained firm. "I am Kemet," Atem recited. "I am the embodiment of Horus! I cannot allow myself to be weakened, not by you, not by anyone!"
Shukura tried to move her arm to touch his cheek, but Atem's grip stayed firm. "Someone once told me that the royals are basically human, too." [5]
"I must be stronger! I have to be!" But he was struggling to say these words, and Shukura saw his crimson eyes soften slightly. "I have to be! I must try to forget!"
"He died the way he'd wanted to; on an adventure, saving those he-"
"He didn't have to die at all," Atem snapped.
Shukura relaxed. This was a game of the mind, and she had just broken his hold. She now had the upper hand. "No, he didn't. But he did die, to protect you, Seto, Kei, and all of Kemet."
Atem started panting, trying to stop himself from releasing any feeling other than anger. "He shouldn't have! I told him not to! I ordered it! He disobeyed me!" His grip tightened. "I am Pharaoh! I am NOT to be disobeyed by anyone!!"
Shukura winced. 'No! I have to regain control!' "His first duty was to save you! Same with us all! We all are prepared to sacrifice our lives-"
"BUT NOT NAEEM!!" Atem's voice broke at his brother's name. He shut his eyes again, making another strong attempt not to show any emotion at all. "He was not meant to die for me, but I for him! I was prepared to die first, not him! I protected him since the day he was born! ME! MY responsibility! I'M his protector! Without him… I'm lost in darkness! He's my light! My best friend! My… my partner…" He clenched his teeth, and faced the floor.
These wounds won't seem to heal
This pain is just too real
There's just too much that time can not erase
Shukura's face fell at the sight of her husband's losing battle with his own passion. She read his mind, and heard Naeem's voice, /I was saved to be here for you! To be by your side when you needed me most! Everyone keeps telling us how we're opposites, but so much alike, right? That's 'cuz we compliment each other! Like pieces of a puzzle…/ Unlike everyone else, who had lost a good friend, Atem had lost a part of himself.
"What he was, Dearest, was a hero. I'm sure that he is in your mother's arms, and he and your parents are watching you at Osiris' side."
Atem let out a gasp and a sob. "Shukura…" he managed to say. Then he dropped to his knees, hands now gripped onto her dress, and buried his face into her stomach. "My baby brother… He's gone…"
Witnessing a woman cry is sad, but a man breaking down is a terrible, yet beautiful happening. She dropped down to hold him as he cried with no further restraint. There could be no more; all of the sorrow within his soul burst through like a dam. "Why, Shukura," he sobbed. "Why Naeem? Why not me…"
Shukura just stroked his hair and let him cry. She looked to the heavens. 'Gods, please pity him! I don't understand the pain of losing a brother, but I know I'd be lost without my pharaoh!' After several agonizing minutes, Atem started to clam down, but still cried softly.
Kei came in, but Shukura motioned behind Atem's back not to say anything. Kei looked relieved to see Atem letting loose his own strain. But a herald entered and interrupted. "Your Highness, the-"
Atem gasped. He couldn't be seen crying! To stop himself, he bit his tongue, piercing it with his teeth. He stood up, wiped his face, and addressed the herald. "What is it you want?"
"Um… Captain Acamus sets sail tomorrow evening, Sire. He requested an answer as to the queen-"
"The queen may do as she please," said Atem shortly.
Shukura nodded at the herald, who bowed, and exited. Shukura stood up and put her hand on Atem's shoulder. "Thank you, Dearest."
He put his hand on hers. "You'd best get ready," he whispered.
"I'm going with you," said Kei. "Seto says that I need a diversion like this!" huff
"Thanks, Kei," said Atem. "Are you well enough to travel?"
Kei crossed her arms in playful mock temper. "Well! Its about time you asked how I was! I was getting ready to smack some sense into you!"
Shukura chuckled. "She sounds well to me!" She bowed and left.
When you cried I'd wipe away all of your tears
When you'd scream I'd fight away all of your fears
And I held your hand through all of these years
But you still have all of me
Atem stared out the large window of his palace into the courtyard. He remembered the joy he'd felt when Naeem returned home safely. He remembered thinking how great a doctor or steward his brother could become. Murals would be erected of him someday, depicting the warrior pharaoh and his heroic brother saving the world… [6]
Tears brimmed in his eyes, but this time he could care less if he was seen. "Kei?"
Kei'd been watching him closely, ready to comfort him if he broke down again. "Yes, Atem?"
"Where are they painting that mural of our battle against Minkabh?"
"In the top room in the western wing. But why?"
Atem didn't answer. He swept past her without a word. Kei wondered if her friend had snapped, so she called for Seto. He joined her in hurrying to the room Atem had gone to.
The pharaoh dismissed the scribes and painters, clearing the large room. The paints had spilled, as if someone had kicked them over. Atem kneeled with his head bowed to the sun, chanting something. "What are you doing, Atem," asked Kei.
Atem ignored her for a moment, then held up the Puzzle. "I'm taking my revenge the best way I can."
"Atem! The gods will punish you if you for performing a Penalty without first challenging him to a Shadow Game, bastard as he is or not! As the Heir, you're honor bound to the results of the first game you played! The gods showed him mercy, and you have to honor that!"
"The gods killed my brother," said Atem distantly. "I've decided to take Minkabh's punishment into my own hands."
Seto smirked. "Now you're sounding like a true pharaoh!"
Atem's eyes glowed red as power built up inside of him. The Eye of Horus glowed on his head as it glowed on the Puzzle. Atem stood back up, his red aura holding the Puzzle aloft in front of him. To the sky, to the gods, and to Minkabh thousands of miles away, he said:
"By the sands of Kemet 'neath my feet,
By the sweat of the people in my keep,
By the blood of him who had died for thee,
By power in which you bestowed on me,
I ask, Lord Horus, that you hear my prayer,
And grant me the power I wish to bare.
I seek justice with suffering, for blood he spilt
Royal, pure, innocent, and divinely willed.
No godly mercy was this man worth
So, for all his life, and through all the Earth
Shall Minkabh wander, accursed in wake
For that of his and my people's sake
Let his breath never cease, and live on in shame
May all cringe away at the sound of his name
No pity shall this evil savage receive
And may he continue to age and bleed
May my Puzzle alone counter this spell,
And never accept him in Heaven or Hell!" [7]
Little did the young pharaoh know that this curse, this defilement to the gods, sealed the tragic fates of him and his followers.
.
I've tried so hard to tell myself that you're gone
But though you're still with me
I've been alone all along
.
Kei held the blanket around her as a cold wind blew past. It had begun to rain softly over two hours ago, but Acamus insisted they leave Kemet quickly. Kei figured it might have been smarter to go indoors out of the rain, but she wanted to see as much of Thebes as she could before she left.
So many years had passed since she first entered those walls just beyond the Nile, and into the capital city on that cart, snuggled up next to Bakura. The city itself had not changed much, but her feelings toward it had. As a girl, it felt big, busy, confining, and exciting. Now, it was simply home.
She saw out of the corner of her eye the cause of the short delay: Shukura, her only girl friend, and Atem, her surrogate brother, kissing good-bye. A touching sight at a glance, but nauseating after a while. She and Seto had said their good-byes before, so Seto decided not to attend the casting-off. He admitted that he might be inclined to stopped the ship if he had to watch Kei leave without him.
Her eyes gazed over the crowd. All of them cheered and waved at the departing officials and unknown foreigners. They were all blissfully unaware of the events involving these sailors. 'Lucky devils,' Kei thought offhand.
Also in the crowd were faces who knew about those events, but watched for their friends. Among them were Jabari and his family. They, like other travelers in the crowd, remained in Thebes for Naeem's up-coming funeral, which Pharaoh Atem announced would take place in one month. "Its time to let go," he'd said after the proclamation.
'Yes,' though Kei with a sigh, 'it is time to let go.' Still, she was glad not to be there for the farce.
Then she caught sight of a familiar pair of chocolate eyes, silver hair, and feral smirk. She blinked and tried to get a better view, but Bakura had put up his hood and moved further into the assembly. She smiled and waved in his direction. Such happy times they'd all had! Seemed so far away now… and so unfair!
She was jolted out of her thoughts by Shukura's hand patting hers. The queen still word her ceremonial vulture crown, but also wore a blanket for warmth. "You okay, Sister Kei?"
Kei nodded. "I'm getting there, Sister Shukura."
Shukura put her arm around her friend, and the two waved as the ship cast off. Kei looked over to the palace, and saw a sulking, sullen Seto watching from a high parapet. She grinned and wagged her finger. =I knew you couldn't help yourself!=
Atem, on the other hand, climbed atop some nearby rocks to stand heads above everyone else as he waved. "Aw," Kei cooed, "he looks like a little boy who's best friends are moving away for good!"
"Poor baby," Shukura said in the same attitude. "Seto too, didja see?"
"Yeah…"
"So sad…"
"All lonely…"
"No one to play with…"
"Well, they still have concubines."
They looked at each other and laughed. The rain chose that moment to let up, and Shukura patted Kei's hand again. "C'mon! Let's go inside. We'll catch ill."
"In a bit. I'll be right there."
Shukura shook her head. "Okay, but don't take too long!"
Kei nodded, and watched the landscape slowly go by. The lush, green reeds would soon be ready to cut, and the dark-red desert sand soft and vast as ever. She looked upwards to the sky. The clouds began to part slightly, and a long, beautiful rainbow stretched across the sky over the land. Flying beside it was what resembled a large bird. But as it flew closer, Kei realized it was a person, with spiky tri-colored hair and glittering jewels.
Kei tried not to cry with happiness. =Naeem! Naeem, I'm here!=
The semi-transparent figure flew down gracefully, ending up a foot above the deck in front of Kei. His large, silver wings flapped softly, so full of power and magnificence. But the voice held the same, child-like enthusiasm she missed. /Hi Kei! I'm really, really sorry I took so long!/
=You should be! I've been calling you for ages! You've had us all worried!=
/It was hard without my body!/ He smiled, and the sun seemed to glow brighter around him. /But you still lead me home. Thank you, Sister!/
Kei returned the smile, tears springing in her eyes. Oh, how she wished she could hug him!
Naeem's smile faded. /Listen Kei, dark times are just ahead. Even though I need to stay here to see it through with Honored Brother, my heart is always with you and Shukura. Don't ever forget that!/
=I won't forget. I'll miss you, Naeem.=
/I'll miss you too, Sister Kei!/ He gave her a salute, turned around, and flew off back towards Thebes.
Kei considered his words. "Dark times, he said? I'll do my best to stay strong! That's all I can really do…"
When you cried I'd wipe away all of your tears
When you'd scream I'd fight away all of your fears
And I held your hand through all of these years
But you still have all of me [8]
.
The End....
for 3,000 years, anyway....
.
.
[1] Sati and Ziyad - From my other fic, 'A 3,000 Year Old Friendship'. Jabari's sister and best friend.
[2] Physical contact between an unmarried man and woman is prohibited.
[3] Kei's prayer - Lots and lots of gods!! Fun research!!
[4] Atem's outburst - For those who don't remember, this is what Nazo saw in her vision. She never finished it, though.
[5] "Royals are basically human too." - Line is from ; Atem says it to Shukura.
[6] Sorn Kirkagard once said that the hardest part of grief was "remembering the future," that is to say what we'd planned for the deceased.
[7] Atem's prayer - by Una
[8] Final song was "My Immortal" by Evanescence
Next up, Deleted Scenes, Concepts, and whatever else I can think up!
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No extra comments for now. R&R, minna-san!
Shibby-One - You'll get more then cookies for reading it. Check out EoA in June…
Ente - Thanks for the lengthy review again. You are really helping me out with that. I can't express how much!
Jessiejames - Thanks for the support! I may ask for the guy below here…
SilverWolfe3636 - Listen, I'm serious, you may be a dedicated fan, but do NOT bash Yugi on my time, got that!? He happens to be my fav, and it was really hard to kill im off. Second, the biggest problem about this death was that it happened mid-chapter, leaving almost no time to reflect before the action. As for the action, I admit it was a bit slapped together. I will update DBUF soon, now that this story is done, and finals are next week. Yugiohchix2008 - I think he went out with honor in this! And don't forget, he lost his past life's memories, too!
K Yami Yugi29 - Whoopie!! I made someone cry!!
Everyone else: glare
Cat-Star4 - comforts Yes, Minkabh is a dick, but that's what I wanted to convey. Hope you enjoy this chapter!
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Una: I waited for Serafina again, and digigirl, and Kyoko....
Yami: The risk of killing off a character!
Una: They were just busy.
Bardock: You're losing your touch!
Yugi: You don't want to get updated, do you, Bardock-san?
Amidamaru: Now, prepare for the longest chapter of all, and the most depressing!
FW: NOTE TO EVERYONE!!! Una almost cut this chapter in half, but I stopped her!!
Una: Yes, Female Writer convinced me that it was better word-for-word and not summerized. They are still no where near as long as her stories.
Oh, this chapter was inspired by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross' book "On Death and Dying", in which the five stages of grief are defines as Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, and Acceptance.
/Naeem's thought-speak./
Atem's thought-speak.
Shukura's thought-speak.
=Kei's thought-speak.=
==Seto's thought-speak.==
Chapter 13
Acceptance
.
I'm so tired of being here
Suppressed by all my childish fears
And if you have to leave
I wish that you would just leave
Cause your presence still lingers here
And it won't leave me alone
"Jabari, for the hundredth time, stop deluding yourself!"
"Its no de-nothin'! Naeem's body was never found, so he might still be out there washed ashore!!"
Shimon shook his head as his nomad pupil stuffed some spare food from the kitchens into his bag. Jabari had suddenly taken up this idea that Naeem would still be alive, and it saddened the old man to see such a young, promising lad in such self-denial. After nearly a week of silence, he'd come storming out of his room, packing his bags.
Jabari handed the bag of food off to a servant. "Tie this up to my horse."
"Yes, Lord Jabari," the boy said.
"I ain't never gonna get used to that," Jabari said after the boy left.
Shimon chuckled. "Priest Akunadean made you his apprentice out of gratitude for saving his life. And you still refuse the personal training to be the next Millennium Eye Holder?"
"You bet!"
"Jabari my boy, Naeem is gone! No matter what you tell yourself-"
Jabari shook his head. "No! He's alive! He's just hurt or something! An' I've been stupid for not going out to look for him until now!"
"I know it hurts, but-"
"Listen, old man," Jabari growled, "nothing is gonna prove to me he's dead except a body! You got that!?"
A servant girl entered the room, but almost left when she heard Jabari's tone of voice. "Wait," Shimon called out to her gently. "What is your message, young one?"
The girl bowed. "Begging your pardon, sirs, but three people have come asking for Lord Jabari right away."
Jabari cocked an eyebrow. "No kiddin'? Who would visit me?"
To answer his question, the three came into the room. One of them, a young girl of thirteen, ran over and hugged him. "Brother," Sati exclaimed. "I've missed you so much!" [1]
Jabari returned the embrace, and saw his mother and fellow nomad friend, Ziyad, standing at the doorway. "Mom… Sati… Ziyad… What're you guys doing here?" [1]
"We came as soon as we heard," started Ziyad.
Sati raised her sparkling eyes to look directly into her brother's. "Is it true," she asked. "Did Naeem really die?"
Jabari opened his mouth and closed it again. He could easily lie to himself, but not his sister. Instead, he turned his face away. Sati got the answer by this, and rested her head on his chest. "I… I didn't want to believe it, but… Oh gods!"
Shimon took her and guided her to a box to sit. Ziyad sat beside her and put his arms around her. Evidently, they were now husband and wife. "How'd it happen?" [2]
"What have you heard," asked Shimon.
"Rumor is the pharaoh and priests came down with some sort of sickness, an' Naeem was the only one to die from it. But I don't buy that! Sounds like a governmental cover-up to me!"
Shimon nodded. At least the rumor he helped spread had done its job properly. "It is just that. The truth is Naeem sacrificed his life to save the pharaoh and other captives aboard a foreign ship. I realize the rumor is harsh, and an insult to Naeem's true courage, but," Shimon cleared his throat to stop it from shaking, "it is necessary to save Pharaoh's reputation."
The older woman walked over to her son, who still kept his face turned away from everyone else. "Jabari, are you alright?"
Jabari's eyes shook slightly, but he said nothing. His mother tried to take his hands, but Jabari pushed them away and made to leave. "Where will you go," asked Shimon.
"I…" Jabari kept his back to them and put his hand against the wall. "I… don't know…I…" His legs gave wave, and he sunk to his knees again. Reality was hitting him so hard! "I don't know… anything anymore…I just…just…"
His mother hurried over and put her arms around him. "When is the funeral," Ziyad asked.
"We never found the body. It got lost at sea."
Sati gasped. "Then… what about his soul? What happened to it?"
Shimon's voice shook noticeably now. "No one knows. Not even our most powerful shaman, Lady Kei."
.
These wounds won't seem to heal
This pain is just too real
There's just too much that time can not erase
.
Kei's fingers caressed the charms she held in her frail, quivering hands. Her raspy, rough voice muttered prayers and spells over and over in the temple she'd met Naeem in nearly a week ago. Strange how so much could change in such a short time.
The once proud shaman's hair drooped with sweat, sand, salt, and any bugs that decided to feast upon the unmoving figure. She still wore her dining tunic, not having changed since she'd left the dining hall and had been captured. As soon as she returned to Thebes, she marched straight to the temple. She refused to move from her spot of prayer, insisting she attempt to find Naeem's spirit herself. She stretched her powers and senses to their fullest strain.
But so far she'd felt nothing. The sun rose and fell, but Kei paid it no heed. Many people came up and offered her their condolences or some water. She took nothing. She wanted nothing, except to see her 'brother' again.
Her chapped lips bled from lack of nutrition and constant movement. Deep, dark circles sagged under her glassy eyes. No sleep, no sleep at all for days. The only one she allowed near her was Lilac, her cat, who provided warmth at night by sitting on her lap. She mad no objections to her master's constant prayers.
=Hathor, great mother, help me find Naeem. Horus, protector of the crown, help me find your descendent. Bes, protector of homes, search for him please. Ma'at, speaker of truth, tell me where he is…=
"Every time I get near her," explained Shdi to Isis one morning, "she pushes me away with her magic. But we cannot let her continue this way."
"She will kill herself. Or go insane. Poor thing!"
"She also has divine sanctuary in these walls."
=Selket, watcher of the dead, protect him until he is found. Isis, mother of magic, find your lost lamb. Tefnut, divine warrior, find him. Tekenu, burial god, find him…=
"So, what can we do?"
Mahado joined them at the doorway of the temple. "I told Pharaoh about the gravity of Kei's condition, and he's given us heavenly permission to force her out."
"Excellent! But how?"
"Seto is coming with a sleeping draft."
=Wepwawet, fortune-teller of the gods, give me the true sight to find him. Hapi, lord of the Nile, find him in your midst…= [3]
A strong hand fell on her shoulder. Kei felt Seto enter the temple, and she couldn't bare to push him away. She hadn't the strength anymore. "Kei, let's go. You need your rest."
Kei turned her head to look at Seto. There were people around him; Isis, Shadi, Mahado, and Shukura, all with an expression of concern. "I haven't found him yet," Kei said in her raspy voice.
"We know, Sister Kei," said Shukura kindly. "But you can't go on like this!"
"I need to find him…"
Isis bent down. "Kei, you need rest."
Kei shook her head slightly. "No! Not now! Not yet!"
Seto held up a small bottle. "Drink this, and you will go into an dreamless sleep for a couple of days. No nightmares, no memories, just simple rest. Your body needs it, Love."
"No," Kei insisted more fiercely. "I promised I'd find him! The gods won't help me! I still…" The figures faded, and Kei almost collapsed, but Isis supported her.
Seto gave a short, soft growl of exasperation, pulled the cover off, put the vile to his own lips, and drained the contents into his mouth. He then lifted Kei's chin, pressed his lips to hers, and transferred the potion.
Tears fell down her cheeks. =I failed him…=
==No, my little Kei. Your heart is as strong as ever. But your body needs sleep.==
Kei nodded in acceptance, and allowed the darkness of sleep to take her.
Seto picked her up easily. "I'll take her to bed."
The others nodded. Seto walked away slowly, thinking about Kei's remorse. 'What's the point of carrying on,' he thought. 'Just because his soul is lost doesn't mean that its dead! All souls continue on forever. He'll be found! What's the big deal?'
He looked at Kei's peaceful, sleeping face. 'Dammit, Kei! I'd better see that golden smile on your lips once you wake up!'
When you cried I'd wipe away all of your tears
When you'd scream I'd fight away all of your fears
And I held your hand through all of these years
But you still have all of me
Priest Seto passed by the training grounds with Kei in his arms, and heard kids practice sword fighting. His head snapped back around when he heard one say the name "Rei." Seto saw one with short, curly hair dressed in a black tunic fighting a boy much younger with a nemes and shining crown. Two other boys watched as the others practiced. The youngest boy got tripped and landed hard on his rump. He cried out, "Ow! I broke my ass!!"
The other children laughed, and the one with spiked hair bent down to help his brother. "What kind of form was that," he asked.
"I wanted to try something myself. Didn't work?"
"It would have," said the other boy in a far colder tone, "if you actually had your balance!"
The young one smiled painfully, and nodded. "'Kay! I'll work on that!"
Priest Seto took a single step towards the children, just to get a better look, but they disappeared. He blinked a couple of times and shook his head. 'I must also be really tired!'
"You see them too, don't you?"
Seto ignored the reaction to sneer at the Queen of Kemet, who stood next to him now. "You've had flashes of memories." It was a statement, not a question.
"I see nothing."
Shukura ignored the lie. "I see them, too. Whenever I pass by my old house, that shack where we used to play, or when I go into the garden where we first met, I see Naeem. But just when I almost see his face, he fades away."
Seto made a 'Keh' sound. "Don't put me on the same level as you, Shukura. I believe Naeem's death should be revered, not mourned."
"Oh? How come?"
"You know my position on Fate! He's probably the only one among us besides Kei who turned down everything to do what he wanted, and not follow what we all told him to do. He may have annoyed me to no end, and caused more trouble then he solved, but I respected him. He lived, and died, by his personal honor. And no one but us will truly know that, thanks to this damn political conspiracy!"
They both stood there for a minute. Then Shukura bent over and whispered to the sleeping form, "You were right, Kei. He's much nicer than he normally lets on!"
Seto scowled. "Excuse me, Your Highness," he snapped, walking past her, "but I need to get my wife to bed."
.
You used to captivate me by your resonating mind
Now I'm bound by the life you left behind
Your face it haunts my once pleasant dreams
Your voice it chased away all the sanity in me
.
No one was there when Atem woke up after the battle, but it didn't seem to matter. He didn't call for anyone, or actually say anything. His first question was as to Seto and Kei's well-being. He ordered that Kei be removed from the temple, but after that, just went to his own room.
The next morning, and the mornings after that, he only spoke to give orders or reply to requests from his subjects. He mechanically followed through his regular routine, spending all of his time to work and none for himself. He barely acknowledged Shimon or his wife. He did not say a word about Naeem, Minkabh, or anything else to that extent. When Shimon brought up the subject of a special funeral for him with a fake mummy, Atem turned it down and moved on to the next order of business. When people came to offer gifts of commiseration, Atem accepted them, then gave them to his high officials.
This attitude frightened Shukura. This wasn't the same man she married a year before. This man had a face and voice of stone. He shed no tear, much less show any emotion at all but occasional annoyance or anger.
Most insisted she remain silent about it, saying that because Pharaoh represented Ra, he was merely acting as though he was solid as rock. Shukura replied, "I didn't marry a statue!"
A minor distraction came when Captain Acamus, leader of the imprisoned soldiers, requested an audience with the "nice, kind woman" he'd spoken to before. He did not look surprised when Shukura explained, calmly, that she was the real Queen of Kemet, nor that the pharaoh had never planned to attack other nations with the Duel Monsters.
"Minkabh is a demon and a liar," said Acamus with a bite in his voice. "I know this, but my emperor will not."
"I'll send an ambassador back to your country with you."
"No, Queen Shukura! You must come with me! For my own reasons, I trust you and you alone."
"I understand, but I need to ask Pharaoh first."
Thus, Shukura found herself entering the throne room only two weeks after the incident on the Nile to speak with her cold-as-stone husband about leaving Kemet.
He was speaking to a couple of priests about something, and paid her no heed. "I wish for no more delay. The period of mourning has ended, and the servants must return to their normal tasks."
"Sire," Seto said, "some of the citizens have arrived with gifts of flowers and fruit. One villager even brought spices from the east."
"It is not necessary," said Atem, slightly angered. "The royal family does not accept gifts for the dead after a week long period." He leaned back in his throne. "Even my father's death did not result in so many offerings."
"Husband," Shukura said. Atem did not look up at her, but the priests turned around as she advanced on them. "Naeem's death was unexpected, and the people needed time to bring proper offerings." Her throat ached from trying not to break down again. "He spent so much time with the people… It makes sense they'd want to honor his memory."
Atem took a deep breath and sat up straight. 'He looks so distant,' thought Shukura. 'I wonder if he even really thinks much of anything anymore.'
Seto nodded in agreement. "The queen has a point, Sire."
"Very well, then," said Atem, waving a tired hand. "Accept the gifts and distribute them amongst yourselves. I don't want anything."
Karim said, "Your Highness has not eaten much since He woke up. You must keep up your strength!"
"I'm not hungry."
"Sire-"
Atem's eyes flashed a dangerous spark of red, more than he had in days. "You are dismissed from my presence, Karim!"
Both priests bowed themselves out, leaving Shukura alone with Pharaoh. She walked cautiously up to him, sitting down at his feet, and setting her head on his lap. "You must re-join the world of the living someday, Dearest One."
Atem pretended to ignore her. They sat in silence for a few minutes, and he finally asked, "Have those damn foreigners left yet?"
"No, not yet. Actually," she lifted her head, "that is what I must speak with you about. Their king still thinks you wish to be his enemy. Minkabh had them so convinced…" She trailed off.
"I don't give a damn for politics anymore," muttered Atem. "He can complain to his own gods for all I care."
Shukura tenderly put her hand on his. "He is powerful. He may send more soldiers and magicians to attack the kingdom. I was thinking… well, the soldiers like me, and they suggested that perhaps I could go as an emissary-"
Atem's eyes flickered to her, furious. "No! I forbid it!"
"But, Dearest-"
His eyes only flared more. "Need I repeat myself?"
"No, I heard you."
"It is far too dangerous! I shall not allow you to leave my side!"
"I feel I can do more good as a peacekeeper than stand here and do nothing all day. I see no sense in-"
Atem violently pulled his hand away and smacked her! She held her cheek and moved away as he stood up. "I am Pharaoh! My word is Law, and my will Kemet's desire! You dare question my judgment?!"
Shukura's heart pounded hard. What HAD happened to her husband? "Dearest, I meant no disrespect!"
He rounded on her, grabbed her shoulders, and lifted her to her feet with more strength than she knew he possessed. His fingers, so cold, dug into her skin. "Hold your traitorous tongue, or I shall have it removed!"
Shukura looked deep into Atem's eyes. Surly, there was a shred of his old self left! Naeem's death could not have destroyed it all, could it? [4]
"Dearest," Shukura said softly, "you never had a chance to grieve over your brother's death. If you hold it in, your soul will be eaten away by bitterness and hate. And he wouldn't want that!"
A flicker of understanding passed through Atem's eyes, but he remained firm. "I am Kemet," Atem recited. "I am the embodiment of Horus! I cannot allow myself to be weakened, not by you, not by anyone!"
Shukura tried to move her arm to touch his cheek, but Atem's grip stayed firm. "Someone once told me that the royals are basically human, too." [5]
"I must be stronger! I have to be!" But he was struggling to say these words, and Shukura saw his crimson eyes soften slightly. "I have to be! I must try to forget!"
"He died the way he'd wanted to; on an adventure, saving those he-"
"He didn't have to die at all," Atem snapped.
Shukura relaxed. This was a game of the mind, and she had just broken his hold. She now had the upper hand. "No, he didn't. But he did die, to protect you, Seto, Kei, and all of Kemet."
Atem started panting, trying to stop himself from releasing any feeling other than anger. "He shouldn't have! I told him not to! I ordered it! He disobeyed me!" His grip tightened. "I am Pharaoh! I am NOT to be disobeyed by anyone!!"
Shukura winced. 'No! I have to regain control!' "His first duty was to save you! Same with us all! We all are prepared to sacrifice our lives-"
"BUT NOT NAEEM!!" Atem's voice broke at his brother's name. He shut his eyes again, making another strong attempt not to show any emotion at all. "He was not meant to die for me, but I for him! I was prepared to die first, not him! I protected him since the day he was born! ME! MY responsibility! I'M his protector! Without him… I'm lost in darkness! He's my light! My best friend! My… my partner…" He clenched his teeth, and faced the floor.
These wounds won't seem to heal
This pain is just too real
There's just too much that time can not erase
Shukura's face fell at the sight of her husband's losing battle with his own passion. She read his mind, and heard Naeem's voice, /I was saved to be here for you! To be by your side when you needed me most! Everyone keeps telling us how we're opposites, but so much alike, right? That's 'cuz we compliment each other! Like pieces of a puzzle…/ Unlike everyone else, who had lost a good friend, Atem had lost a part of himself.
"What he was, Dearest, was a hero. I'm sure that he is in your mother's arms, and he and your parents are watching you at Osiris' side."
Atem let out a gasp and a sob. "Shukura…" he managed to say. Then he dropped to his knees, hands now gripped onto her dress, and buried his face into her stomach. "My baby brother… He's gone…"
Witnessing a woman cry is sad, but a man breaking down is a terrible, yet beautiful happening. She dropped down to hold him as he cried with no further restraint. There could be no more; all of the sorrow within his soul burst through like a dam. "Why, Shukura," he sobbed. "Why Naeem? Why not me…"
Shukura just stroked his hair and let him cry. She looked to the heavens. 'Gods, please pity him! I don't understand the pain of losing a brother, but I know I'd be lost without my pharaoh!' After several agonizing minutes, Atem started to clam down, but still cried softly.
Kei came in, but Shukura motioned behind Atem's back not to say anything. Kei looked relieved to see Atem letting loose his own strain. But a herald entered and interrupted. "Your Highness, the-"
Atem gasped. He couldn't be seen crying! To stop himself, he bit his tongue, piercing it with his teeth. He stood up, wiped his face, and addressed the herald. "What is it you want?"
"Um… Captain Acamus sets sail tomorrow evening, Sire. He requested an answer as to the queen-"
"The queen may do as she please," said Atem shortly.
Shukura nodded at the herald, who bowed, and exited. Shukura stood up and put her hand on Atem's shoulder. "Thank you, Dearest."
He put his hand on hers. "You'd best get ready," he whispered.
"I'm going with you," said Kei. "Seto says that I need a diversion like this!" huff
"Thanks, Kei," said Atem. "Are you well enough to travel?"
Kei crossed her arms in playful mock temper. "Well! Its about time you asked how I was! I was getting ready to smack some sense into you!"
Shukura chuckled. "She sounds well to me!" She bowed and left.
When you cried I'd wipe away all of your tears
When you'd scream I'd fight away all of your fears
And I held your hand through all of these years
But you still have all of me
Atem stared out the large window of his palace into the courtyard. He remembered the joy he'd felt when Naeem returned home safely. He remembered thinking how great a doctor or steward his brother could become. Murals would be erected of him someday, depicting the warrior pharaoh and his heroic brother saving the world… [6]
Tears brimmed in his eyes, but this time he could care less if he was seen. "Kei?"
Kei'd been watching him closely, ready to comfort him if he broke down again. "Yes, Atem?"
"Where are they painting that mural of our battle against Minkabh?"
"In the top room in the western wing. But why?"
Atem didn't answer. He swept past her without a word. Kei wondered if her friend had snapped, so she called for Seto. He joined her in hurrying to the room Atem had gone to.
The pharaoh dismissed the scribes and painters, clearing the large room. The paints had spilled, as if someone had kicked them over. Atem kneeled with his head bowed to the sun, chanting something. "What are you doing, Atem," asked Kei.
Atem ignored her for a moment, then held up the Puzzle. "I'm taking my revenge the best way I can."
"Atem! The gods will punish you if you for performing a Penalty without first challenging him to a Shadow Game, bastard as he is or not! As the Heir, you're honor bound to the results of the first game you played! The gods showed him mercy, and you have to honor that!"
"The gods killed my brother," said Atem distantly. "I've decided to take Minkabh's punishment into my own hands."
Seto smirked. "Now you're sounding like a true pharaoh!"
Atem's eyes glowed red as power built up inside of him. The Eye of Horus glowed on his head as it glowed on the Puzzle. Atem stood back up, his red aura holding the Puzzle aloft in front of him. To the sky, to the gods, and to Minkabh thousands of miles away, he said:
"By the sands of Kemet 'neath my feet,
By the sweat of the people in my keep,
By the blood of him who had died for thee,
By power in which you bestowed on me,
I ask, Lord Horus, that you hear my prayer,
And grant me the power I wish to bare.
I seek justice with suffering, for blood he spilt
Royal, pure, innocent, and divinely willed.
No godly mercy was this man worth
So, for all his life, and through all the Earth
Shall Minkabh wander, accursed in wake
For that of his and my people's sake
Let his breath never cease, and live on in shame
May all cringe away at the sound of his name
No pity shall this evil savage receive
And may he continue to age and bleed
May my Puzzle alone counter this spell,
And never accept him in Heaven or Hell!" [7]
Little did the young pharaoh know that this curse, this defilement to the gods, sealed the tragic fates of him and his followers.
.
I've tried so hard to tell myself that you're gone
But though you're still with me
I've been alone all along
.
Kei held the blanket around her as a cold wind blew past. It had begun to rain softly over two hours ago, but Acamus insisted they leave Kemet quickly. Kei figured it might have been smarter to go indoors out of the rain, but she wanted to see as much of Thebes as she could before she left.
So many years had passed since she first entered those walls just beyond the Nile, and into the capital city on that cart, snuggled up next to Bakura. The city itself had not changed much, but her feelings toward it had. As a girl, it felt big, busy, confining, and exciting. Now, it was simply home.
She saw out of the corner of her eye the cause of the short delay: Shukura, her only girl friend, and Atem, her surrogate brother, kissing good-bye. A touching sight at a glance, but nauseating after a while. She and Seto had said their good-byes before, so Seto decided not to attend the casting-off. He admitted that he might be inclined to stopped the ship if he had to watch Kei leave without him.
Her eyes gazed over the crowd. All of them cheered and waved at the departing officials and unknown foreigners. They were all blissfully unaware of the events involving these sailors. 'Lucky devils,' Kei thought offhand.
Also in the crowd were faces who knew about those events, but watched for their friends. Among them were Jabari and his family. They, like other travelers in the crowd, remained in Thebes for Naeem's up-coming funeral, which Pharaoh Atem announced would take place in one month. "Its time to let go," he'd said after the proclamation.
'Yes,' though Kei with a sigh, 'it is time to let go.' Still, she was glad not to be there for the farce.
Then she caught sight of a familiar pair of chocolate eyes, silver hair, and feral smirk. She blinked and tried to get a better view, but Bakura had put up his hood and moved further into the assembly. She smiled and waved in his direction. Such happy times they'd all had! Seemed so far away now… and so unfair!
She was jolted out of her thoughts by Shukura's hand patting hers. The queen still word her ceremonial vulture crown, but also wore a blanket for warmth. "You okay, Sister Kei?"
Kei nodded. "I'm getting there, Sister Shukura."
Shukura put her arm around her friend, and the two waved as the ship cast off. Kei looked over to the palace, and saw a sulking, sullen Seto watching from a high parapet. She grinned and wagged her finger. =I knew you couldn't help yourself!=
Atem, on the other hand, climbed atop some nearby rocks to stand heads above everyone else as he waved. "Aw," Kei cooed, "he looks like a little boy who's best friends are moving away for good!"
"Poor baby," Shukura said in the same attitude. "Seto too, didja see?"
"Yeah…"
"So sad…"
"All lonely…"
"No one to play with…"
"Well, they still have concubines."
They looked at each other and laughed. The rain chose that moment to let up, and Shukura patted Kei's hand again. "C'mon! Let's go inside. We'll catch ill."
"In a bit. I'll be right there."
Shukura shook her head. "Okay, but don't take too long!"
Kei nodded, and watched the landscape slowly go by. The lush, green reeds would soon be ready to cut, and the dark-red desert sand soft and vast as ever. She looked upwards to the sky. The clouds began to part slightly, and a long, beautiful rainbow stretched across the sky over the land. Flying beside it was what resembled a large bird. But as it flew closer, Kei realized it was a person, with spiky tri-colored hair and glittering jewels.
Kei tried not to cry with happiness. =Naeem! Naeem, I'm here!=
The semi-transparent figure flew down gracefully, ending up a foot above the deck in front of Kei. His large, silver wings flapped softly, so full of power and magnificence. But the voice held the same, child-like enthusiasm she missed. /Hi Kei! I'm really, really sorry I took so long!/
=You should be! I've been calling you for ages! You've had us all worried!=
/It was hard without my body!/ He smiled, and the sun seemed to glow brighter around him. /But you still lead me home. Thank you, Sister!/
Kei returned the smile, tears springing in her eyes. Oh, how she wished she could hug him!
Naeem's smile faded. /Listen Kei, dark times are just ahead. Even though I need to stay here to see it through with Honored Brother, my heart is always with you and Shukura. Don't ever forget that!/
=I won't forget. I'll miss you, Naeem.=
/I'll miss you too, Sister Kei!/ He gave her a salute, turned around, and flew off back towards Thebes.
Kei considered his words. "Dark times, he said? I'll do my best to stay strong! That's all I can really do…"
When you cried I'd wipe away all of your tears
When you'd scream I'd fight away all of your fears
And I held your hand through all of these years
But you still have all of me [8]
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The End....
for 3,000 years, anyway....
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[1] Sati and Ziyad - From my other fic, 'A 3,000 Year Old Friendship'. Jabari's sister and best friend.
[2] Physical contact between an unmarried man and woman is prohibited.
[3] Kei's prayer - Lots and lots of gods!! Fun research!!
[4] Atem's outburst - For those who don't remember, this is what Nazo saw in her vision. She never finished it, though.
[5] "Royals are basically human too." - Line is from ; Atem says it to Shukura.
[6] Sorn Kirkagard once said that the hardest part of grief was "remembering the future," that is to say what we'd planned for the deceased.
[7] Atem's prayer - by Una
[8] Final song was "My Immortal" by Evanescence
Next up, Deleted Scenes, Concepts, and whatever else I can think up!
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No extra comments for now. R&R, minna-san!