Disclaimer:
 I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh!... So I am obviously just a fan who wholeheartedly loves the amazing original show and writes fanfictions (such as this...duh!...and all my other stories that have the said disclaimers on them), for fun, gaining no monetary profit whatsoever....

Appeal

Within the grand palace, the majority's attention was caught by the entrance of two guards hauling a clearly exhausted being.

The Emperor smirked when the two guards neared him, bringing with them his prize. "Pharaoh...." He greeted in a mock pleasant tone at the small man in between them dressed in a simple white tunic. Turning to his awed guests, his smirk even widened. "See for yourselves what this pathetic king looks like...."

Atem kept his head down, ignoring the searing looks the people were giving him. The white tunic forced on him reached down his knees, obviously too big for him. It did a good job of obscuring his horrible wounds though. The little bronze skin exposed had been cleaned, free of the filth and blood stains that marred it. But it was not as flawless as before. Even his hair regained its stand up form, though it remained a bit bent. He may not look as magnificent as back when he was a king, yet he still had that mysterious and admirable appearance that seemed to awe the Emperor's guests.

The Emperor scowled as he grabbed Atem's chin and forced the tired face up to meet his own. "Look at me when I am talking to you, Boy...." He snarled quietly as he released his hold.

Atem did as he was told, knowing full well that disobeying the Emperor would result in serious consequences. He felt the two guards' grips on him loosen upon hearing a flick of the Emperor's fingers. He wobbled slightly upon feeling the supporting grips disappear. Amazingly, he managed to remain standing despite the fact that his body had barely enough energy left for him to do so.

The Emperor huffed, silencing the growing murmurs behind him. "Good boy..." He started in mock praise while patting Atem's head like how one would do to a dog.

All eyes within the palace seemed to have been drawn to the Emperor's newest slave. Different emotions were reflected deep within each pair. Some were of jealousy. Some were of awe. Some were of indifference and so much more. So far, only two beings had their eyes focused somewhere else, namely the corridor that loomed within their sights.

The two guards, Jono and Honda, made their way back to where they entered once the Emperor had told them to leave the Pharaoh. They were almost through the arch that led to a deeper corridor when a sight stopped them.

The Princess standing at the entrance of the balcony, eyes focused on the once Pharaoh who remained as still as a statue in the presence of the Emperor's guests.

The Princess' act was no different than the ones around her. Yet, a deeper look into her eyes revealed just how different her emotions were from the rest.

Honda kept his eyes on the Princess, not wanting her to be without a guard by her side. However, he still had some duties to take care of. He continued to stare at the clearly lonely Princess, wanting to do what he could to help her through the pain he could clearly see that was bubbling inside that elegant form.

A hand on his shoulder had temporary alleviated his mind from his princess protective thoughts. He turned around, coming face to face with his fellow guard and best friend - Jono.

Jono cocked his head coolly in the direction of the Princess. "Go" He said monotonously. "I will finish your other duties for you." He continued as he released Honda's shoulder.

Honda gazed at his friend. "Really??" He asked in disbelief. It was not everyday that tough guard Jono offered to do others' duties.

Jono gave a cool grunt. "Of course." A smirk graced the rough lips. "You are her personal body guard.... aren't you???" Upon receiving a confirming chuckle from his companion, he walked away.

Honda smirked as he watched Jono go. He then turned his attention to the Princess, making his way towards her not long after. Three feet was separating them the moment she noticed him, making him go down on one knee out of respect.

"Honda." Teana acknowledged the moment the guard had straightened up. "You are here early..." She continued. "I thought Father had given you something to do..."

"A friend of mine had offered to do my tasks for me." Honda replied respectfully. Silence followed. Finding something wrong, he sneaked a glance towards the Princess who had now dislodged her gaze from him. He followed her new focus, showcasing to him another one of her father's dehumanizing acts.

The Pharaoh was forced down on all fours while the guests and the Emperor himself was enjoying the sight.

Honda mentally slapped himself. He had to focus his attention on the Princess. And that said Princess needed some attention at the moment. "So...." He started, hoping that it would snap the Princess out of her worries. "Is there anything you would like, Princess??"

Success. The Princess had turned to face him.

After a couple of blinks, the Princess opened her mouth to speak, though speaking was at a whole new level of difficulty at the moment. "Um..." She stuttered, constantly shifting her gaze in any direction her eyes could reach, hoping that her actions would stop the tears from falling. Sighing, she looked up, sparkling azure meeting deep chestnut. "No, Honda." She started in a hitched voice clearly showing her battle against her sobs. "There is nothing I require...."

Honda bit his lip. From the Princess' tone, it was obvious that there was nothing he could do, no matter how much he wanted to. A mental sigh rang within his mind as he focused his gaze on the one the Princess has been so intently watching.

The Emperor turned to his guests, elated that they found the obedience of his slave to be so delightful. He allowed his cold blue eyes to stare down the young lad on all fours. A chuckle came forth from his lips as he nudged the Pharaoh. "I change my mind. I like to order you around better when you are standing upright." He started, his characteristic smirk dominating his face.

Atem meekly stood up, ignoring the murmurs and chuckles around him. He even remained still like a doll when one of the guests pulled his face up, examining his appearance. He knew that he could not do anything..... that was against his new 'master' even though he resented that thought.

No matter how much he wanted to fight back. No matter how much he wanted to disobey and spit at the Emperor's face, he couldn't. Only two options were given, rather, forced upon him – either total submission or another painful torture, the latter being something inevitable in his current state. Yet, he knew that resisting the Emperor would only increase the pain brought about by his already excruciating suffering. And that was something he so desperately did not want.

In other words, he had no choice - No dignity saving choice. So here he was, following every ridiculous whim his 'master' was giving him while wearing an expressionless mask and keeping his voice buried. It seemed as though he was nothing but an emotionless shell, like a mere statue made to move. However, beneath all the stoic appearance, emotions stormed within his being like a mighty typhoon would to a calm sea. He was a Pharaoh. And being treated this low in a foreign land was eating away his dignity, his confidence, and even his sanity.

The amount of pain he was in, was equivalent to the amount of excitement that bubbled through his captor.

The Emperor's joy at the moment was immeasurable. He had never been this elated in his entire life. And he had the Pharaoh to thank for. Gazing at the very still form of his new slave, he chuckled. The Pharaoh, the one rumored to be of great power and strength, was now his slave. The very thought made him giddy on the inside.

However, it was not the aforementioned fact that made him the happiest within the grand palace hall. It was the fact that his guests – his subjects – were jealous of him because of his newest slave. He knew it. He could see it in their eyes.

This Pharaoh, this Pharaoh who was still standing like a statue right before him was quite the most exquisite being his eyes had ever laid upon... and apparently, he was not the only one who thought so.

The Pharaoh was small, yet well toned – though quite thinner than before his capture. His skin - though marred - still retained its nice hue, beautifully kissed by the sun. A handsome face - still beautiful despite that stoic emotion plastered. Hair of three colors that would definitely burn itself in the memory of those who laid eyes upon it framed his face so beautifully.

But it was his eyes that was the most captivating. Beautiful amethyst orbs that clearly exhibited his extraordinary intellect and wisdom also reflected his every emotion. It shined whenever joy was within him. It sparkled like water in the midst of the sun's light when saddened. It seemed to burn so magnificently whenever he displayed such confidence. And it became so.....fierce whenever anger swirled within him.

Never before had the Great Emperor Eron seen someone so unusual and so....beautiful no matter how marred, injured, or defiled.

Everything about the Pharaoh reminded him of fire. The eyes, the hair, and that characteristic personality though currently subdued. All of that young king was like fire. So beautiful. So graceful. So mysterious. And possibly...... dangerous. Fire burned so strongly whenever it had such good source of strength and became so weak whenever its fuel was lost. Like the fire, the Pharaoh was strong when determination and confidence fueled his strength. Unfortunately, his state was slowly extinguishing him, his confidence slowly being eaten away.

Nevertheless, if the former Pharaoh would ever be sold in the popular slave markets, he would most probably cost over a fortune and most of the rich would probably fight over him. All because of such rare and beautiful qualities he possessed. To think the guests found him attractive now. How much more if the Emperor had not tortured and abused him???

The Emperor smirked again. How lucky was he that his newest toy was this appealing in mere appearance. Most would probably try to protect those fine qualities, making sure that no blood would seep out of that fine form.

Yet, he was not like the most. He preferred the opposite.

He found the Pharaoh most appealing when coated with blood and gashes, when amethyst eyes sparkled with tears in response to the awful pain, when anguished cries escaped from that blood encrusted lips, when limp, frail, and absolutely under his mercy. That was what he preferred. That was what he hungered for.

And speaking of hunger.....

A small rumbling sound had joined the gentle howl of the desert breeze. It was not loud, but it was enough to attract the attention of two beings to their fellow who was behind them, clutching her abdomen as she walked.

"Um" Mana started sheepishly as a blush crept up her face. She gazed at her two companions, allowing a sheepish grin to grace her tired face. "Kishan..." another rumbling came from her stomach. "Is there any place we can find food??" She asked in a tone that was mixed between hopeful and timid.

Kishan simply chuckled. "Just you wait..." he said perkily. "Once we arrive, there will be enough food to last you for a long time."

Mana grimaced. They had been walking for quite some time. Her feet were beginning to gain weight. Exhaustion was threatening to drag her down. However, she mentally pushed herself on, telling herself that all this would be for a good cause.

Yet the feeling of exhaustion was still there, making her want to sit down for a while.

She shook that temptation off. But it was just no use. Sighing, she looked around, noting that her companions were still moving in an unchanging pace. Thinking that she was the only one being drained by this journey, she straightened up, wiped her brow, and hid her exhaustion. Having Seto think of her as weak was not something she could tolerate.

Unbeknownst to Mana, Seto was also just as exhausted. Both he and Mana still had not mastered the art of levitation, making him envy the little hairball who simply floated before them. He also wanted to rest. Yet he knew that that was not an option due to their situation. But then again, exhaustion will be an even bigger threat if it will be upon them during their mission. Perhaps a short rest was not so bad. A sigh escaped his lips at that thought. He opened his mouth, ready to ask the Kuriboh to stop for rest when.....

"Here we are..." Kishan started as he stopped in midair, almost having Seto's face in his fluffy body. He moved to the side, gesturing towards an almost ethereal place to his guests' eyes. "Welcome to the village of Ka Isa"

*and there goes chappie 20. How are you guys?? still fine?? hope so.... I'm glad that ya'll still sticking with this story. there is still more to come in the future.

By the way, the word 'Ka Isa' is not made up. I took it from the...ehem... Filipino word - Magkaisa, meaning "unite" or "to be one"..... does the name give you any ideas??

Review please.... it encourages me to update faster.