Disclaimer: I don't own Yugioh, Egypt, the millennium items, or Setna...sadly. -__-'
AnimeFan: Oh, for this chapter I have Setna wearing a certain outfit I saw from a manga. If you want to have a visual of Setna's priest clothes, just ask in your review and give me your e-mail address and I'll send you the two pictures of Setna in the outfit. It's an actual colored picture from a professionally drawn manga!!! Not one of my crappy drawings, though I'm really not that half bad of an artist...
More Reviewers Questions and Comments Answered:
Jadej.j - What will happen next? You'll just have to keep on reading! ^_^
Cherrii - Oh! Hi! Thanks for the review. Tell me, when will you update The Goddess Of Love?
Aiko - I've said this once, I'll say it a millennium times more...Yami will show his cute little ass soon. But not right away. That's just how my plot is working. Expect him in a chapter or two after this one...maybe.
Nieni Woodland - I'm so glad you think the whole Setna being Seto thing is funny. I wanted to portray Seto as what he was in ancient egypt. Remember, they are the same soul but different people still. So that's why Setna doesn't totally act like Seto...yet. As for Jono, I always imagined Jono being a more mature version of Joey. And the whole being older thing goes with the idea of Seto's past. You'll see what I'm getting at in this chapter. Or maybe not, I just wanted Seto to be younger then everyone else. ^^
Demon and Hell - I'm glad you like my story. But the pairing isn't Jono/Setna remember. ^^' You'll see in the chapter after this one just what relationship is growing between the two boys. And like I told Nieni, I've always gone with the idea that Jono is a more mature version of Joey.
Mercury Angel - Chill, Yami will pop up soon. About the fifth or sixth chapter. I'm going with a plot I've disigned in my head, and no matter how much my reviewers beg I will not alter it. If I do, I'll lose sight of my plot and the story will turn out like trash. ^_^ Don't want that.
Silver Mist4 - Thank you! I'm glad you like my version of Jono. I've tried to keep a bit of Joey in him, but add his more mature personality as well. After all, Joey in the modern day has a more goofy, carefree life away from his dad. In the past, he's the Captain of the Royal Guard and has a childhood that's not so carefree. So he would be a bit more mature. As for the age difference, well, you'll see why I made him older in the next chapter. That and I wanted to make Setna younger then everyone for a more believable plot that you'll soon find out after reading this chapter. ^^'
Kael Kalespel - Like I told Silver Mist, I've always thought that Joey's past reincarnation would be maturer. Since, after all, he's the Captain of the Royal Guard with a not so carefree childhood you'll learn about soon enough. I just didn't think it would fit having Jono being exactly like Joey. But there are hints of some of Joey in him. Like with all the characters their personalities are different cause their different people in a different time. The only thing that's the same is their souls. Yami will show up soon, I think around the sixth or fifth chapter. I'm not promising though. Like I told the others, I have this plot in my head already and I won't alter it just to please you reviewers cause it would screw up the story. And yes, three people find out right away who Setna really is. There's Kale, Setna's uncle, and Simon Muran. The others will learn later on. ^_~
Demented Marik - Thank you!
Chibi Seto - Thanks a lot. Boy, you're like the seventh person who's asked where Yami is. He'll show up soon, but like I told the others I'm not going to alter the plot I have devised for you reviewers pleasure. If I do, it will screw the whole story up. ^^
Callisto Firestarter - Kill Seto...and I shall kill you! (gives her a deranged look) Setna is younger then everyone else for several reason. One it goes perfect with the plot, and another you'll soon find out. Besides, I thought it would be appropiate that Seto experienced the plot starting as a young pre-teen. But he'll grow up soon, you'll see. ^^
Now! To the story! ^_____^
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Chapter Three: Man of Dark Shadow
When Setna awoke the next morning he was greeted with the sight of a grinning face and shimmering caramel eyes. With a squeak of surprise he quickly hid under the covers, Jono laughing good naturedly at the fright he'd given the poor boy.
Ah, come on Setna. Come out from under there!
Setna shook his head no, making the covers shake side to side so Jono would know his answer. The blonde smirked, You'd better come out of there, or I'll make sure you're very sorry you didn't.
Setna froze and thought about this. Would Jono hurt him? He peaked shyly out from under the covers, meeting the stern look in the other's face. Frowning and dropping his eyes, Setna obediently lowered the covers and sat up. Jono, being the ever happy-going guy, wasn't someone who could keep a straight face for to long when he was lying or joking around. He cracked a smile, giving Setna only a five second warning before he grabbed the boy and started tickling him. Setna gasped, cried out, laughed, and desperately wiggled to try an escape the blonde's assault on his ribs. After five minutes of painful torture, Jono decided he had punished the little brat thoroughly and released him, watching with a huge grin as Setna quickly scurried to the other side of the bed to escape him. There Setna sat cross-legged and looked at him. Their eyes met and they both kept a steady gaze, sizing each other up. After a moment of this Setna smiled brightly, looking happier then Jono had recalled ever seeing him.
Well, now that you're awake we can get to today's affairs, Jono stated with a wry grin.
Setna tilted his head a bit to the side questioningly, What affairs?
Jono smiled at the cute move from the other, Well, I'm gonna take you to meet two priests today. One is the High Priest of Set, Seth, and the other is the High Priest of Ra, Simon Muran. Seth is gonna test you to see if you do have strong enough magic to be a priest, then I'm taking you to Simon. He's a kook, mind you, but he'll serve a better teacher for you then Seth. Trust me on this one.
Setna furled his brows in concern. Seth...Seth...he had heard that name before. But from where and by whom? Jono mistook his actions for their plans and gave him that comforting smile. Setna couldn't help but notice that Jono had a smile much like Kale. It made trusting him easier.
Come on, there's nothing to worry about. Seth may be an asshole and Simon may be a kook, but I told you no harm will come to you and I'm gonna stick with my promise! Jono stated firmly, fisting his hand in determination.
Setna smiled and nodded his head, crawling out of bed. Jono walked over and took him by the hand, then both boys exited the chamber room without bothering to straighten the bed covers or pick up. They walked for some time down different hallways and corridors, Jono pointing rooms and things out to Setna and explaining about what they were or were used for. They passed the kitchens, where Setna made a quick note to remember the location so he could later come back and maybe find Kale to talk to him. Finally they exited through a door near the back of the palace and entered a courtyard where a huge pillar stood on a platform with ancient writings engraved in it, men in cloaks all kneeling around it praying. Seven paths led in separate directions from the center of the courtyard. Turning to the left, Setna and Jono walked down the first of the pathways heading due west where a large and almost menacing temple waited at the end of the path.
Setna slowed down and hesitated, but Jono squeezed his hand reassuringly and they continued up the stairs and into the temple. Inside was dark and gloomy, priests in black cloaks standing around praying or talking. Jono led him to a silver haired man.
I'm here to see High Priest Seth. I believe he's expecting me, Jono stated with a tone that commanded respect.
The silver haired priest seemed unaffected however and sent him a cocky smirk, "I don't recall High Priest Seth expecting anyone, blondie."
Setna felt a strange urge to punch the man for insulting Jono. Since he was a more nonviolent person though he contented himself to just glare at the man. Jono seemed to do the same, but remained calm.
"What is going on over here, Asus?" Came a deep and scratchy voice.
Setna shivered as the sound of the man's voice seemed to irritate every muscle in his spine. Leaning a bit to see, Setna's eyes widened as a man walked towards them. He was very tall, and looked exactly like Setna except his eyes were a darker and more sinister blue. His skin was darker as well and he was clothed in a black priest robe with gold and amethyst jewelry decorating his figure to point out his place in the Egyptian social class. But that was not what made Setna pale and cower close to Jono. It was the fact of whom that man was. He now remembered why the name Seth had been so familiar to him. It was his Uncle, who had tried to kill him and his father and take over the throne of Upper Egypt. For this crime he had been banished from the kingdom. Now, once again, Setna was looking up into those terrifyingly maddening eyes and feeling weak and vulnerable.
Jono seemed to stiffen at the sight of Setna's uncle and gladly pulled the young boy closer against him in a protective hold. Seth finally reached the three of them and narrowed his eyes with a smirk.
"Asus, you are dismissed. Jono...it has been a while. Tell me, has the prince been throwing you any new bones lately? Are you now the Captain of every army in Egypt? Or will you be pharaoh soon of your own kingdom. Come, come, I really want to hear what your precious Prince Yagami has arranged for his bestest friend in the world now."
Jono went ridged and unconsciously pushed Setna painfully close to him, "For your information, I am still very much the Captain of the Royal Guard and am happy with that job! And another thing, Yagami is the pharaoh now and he's your pharaoh too! So I'd better start hearing you address him as so."
Seth smirked arrogantly and bowed, "My, my! Forgive me, oh Captain Jono. I meant no harm towards our beloved Pharaoh Yagami." Every word had been coated in thick sarcasm with the words "Captain Jono" and "beloved Pharaoh" overly dramatized.
Setna could feel Jono shaking in rage and new the blonde was exhibiting a great amount of self-control to keep from hitting Seth. He remembered what Jono had promised and, feeling a lot braver then usual, he left Jono's side and stood between the two young men. It was sort of pathetic, seeing that Seth was so tall Setna had to crane his head almost all the way back to look at him with his icy glare that was a part of his famous family legacy. Seth looked down at him with annoyance, his eyes suddenly widening when he recognized the small brunette.
"You leave Jono alone! He's the best Captain there is and a better man then you'll ever be!" Setna hissed up at his uncle, darkening his glare.
Seth seemed to have lost interest in the blonde and was staring down at his nephew, "What is the meaning of this child, Jono?"
Jono took a moment to steady himself before trusting the words that came out of his mouth, "This is the water boy I told you about that saved me with that advanced spell."
Seth ignored Jono then and looked the young prince up and down, "Yes...the one you wanted me to test the strength of his power. Come with me, boy."
Jono began to lead Setna towards the room Seth was walking to but was stopped by several priests.
"HEY! What is the meaning of this!!!" Jono cried out angrily and tried to get past.
Seth smirked in amusement, "You were not invited to come along. You can wait out here till I'm through with the boy's test."
Setna looked back at Jono fearfully and the blonde just gave him a sad look, then turned to glare threateningly at Seth, "You so much as harm one hair on Setna, and I won't care what the law is on murder!!"
Seth seemed unfazed by the threat and continued into the room dragging the frightened boy with him. The room they had entered was dark with only candlelights lighting it up a tad bit. The hieroglyphs on the walls glowed with an eerie green luminous and a pit of sand with bones scattered in it was positioned in the very middle of the room. Setna shivered and looked back fearfully as the door was shut behind them, leaving him all alone with his uncle in close darkness.
"Stand over in the middle of that pit, Kaito," Seth commanded, calling him by his birth name.
Setna nodded and obediently stood in the middle of the sand and bones, wondering who the bones had belonged to.
"Now relax and close your eyes. Then wait for your next instructions."
Setna didn't feel comfortable with the idea of shutting his eyes when he was alone with his uncle or any family member at that, but did anyway. After all, if Seth tried anything he'd tell Jono and then Jono would kick Seth's ass. The sound of bottles being knocked together and papyrus shuffling filled the tense air.
Finally Seth spoke again, "Now, repeat after me..." He began to chant a spell Setna had not heard before.
Setna listened for the first reciting of the spell then chanted it back perfectly, the words burning into his memory like most everything else. He was quite the known genius back home and learned everything quickly and easily. Seth seemed happy with this.
"Now keep chanting that with your eyes closed, concentrating on the spell."
Setna did what he was told, knowing that the sooner he finished the sooner he'd be done with Seth and could go back to Jono where he'd be safe. Whatever the spell he was chanting was, he was sure become quickly lightheaded.
"You know, Kaito. I know why you're here. You're father sent you, after all, Pharaoh Yagami is a weakling and truly pathetic. Which leaves his kingdom wide open for us to claim." Seth's cocky voice rang in his ears.
Setna paid little attention to Seth's words, only able to hear what he was chanting.
"Yes...everything will be perfect. We just wait for the right time, and strike when the prince is at his weakest."
Whatever his uncle said after that, he didn't hear. Setna was floating in a sea of black, naked and curled up in a peaceful ball. Suddenly he opened his eyes slowly and stretched till he floated in a standing position. He could see the darkness, but for once he was unafraid. Suddenly a small swarm of golden and silvery mist appeared in front of him and glowed brightly as it spoke.
"Do you hate?"
Setna blinked but answered the strange question, "Yes, my family. But to hate is what makes me human."
"Would you kill?" The mist glowed.
Setna shook his head, "Never, there is no honor in killing."
"If you could have one thing, what would it be?"
Setna sighed and closed his eyes for a second, opening them and focusing on the mist, "Love...true love. I don't want to hurt anymore..."
The mist glowed brighter then before, blinding Setna and diminishing the darkness. Then two of the most beautiful men he had ever seen floated before him, hand in hand. One had short silvery hair and burning blue eyes and was dressed in shimmering blue and silver armor. The other was opposite him, with long golden hair and crimson eyes while dressed in extravagant red and gold mage robes. Setna gapped in awe at the two men, unable to find in himself the ability to speak. They were gods...powerful gods at that.
The silver haired god smirked harshly, though his eyes betrayed his kindness, "Do you know who we are, little prince?"
Setna nodded his head dumbly, still unable to speak.
The golden haired man cocked his head to the side and smiled gently, "Then you know that I am Ra, and this is my lifelong rival Set."
Set arched an elegant eyebrow, "Rival? Isn't that a tad bit old, my love?"
Ra looked at his lover and smirked daringly, "Of course, Set. But these mortals do not know are true...relationship."
Setna just remained silent, staring in awe at his god and deity Set flirting with Ra. He was stunned to see two powerful gods standing before him. It wasn't something that happened to a guy every day, you know.
Set rolled his eyes at his love and then turned to fix the prince with his burning stare, "Do you know why we have appeared here before you , my child?"
Setna shook his head, for he truthfully did not know. Then a terrifying idea came to mind, "B-Because I'm...dead?"
Ra blinked then laughed, a truly beautiful sound, "No, no! Dear child, we are not here because you're dead. We're here to give you a present."
"Present? I need nothing of the sort, please don't waist anymore of your time on a lowly servant such as myself," Setna spoke truthfully, not quite sure if he had heard right.
Set frowned at this, "Don't say that. I don't ever want to hear those words from your lips again. You are my child, the gift brought into this world by your mother's egg and my seed. Have you ever wondered why it was that you looked so much like your uncle? Because you are both my children. Yours and his father were unable to impregnate their wife. The only reason your father is not like me is because your grandfather died and your grandmother married another who was successful in giving her yet another child, your father."
Setna stared numbly at this man, his father. He knew he was different then most people, but not the son of an actual god!
Ra chuckled lightly at the other's silence, "Don't fear, child. Tis not unusual for a god to impregnate a mortal woman to bear a son to rule his kingdom and people. But our visit to you is more than just to enlighten you of your true blood. We have the gift we spoke of. It is an item of immense healing and light power, with the added bonus of being able to open up things that are sealed or locked...even the human mind. But something such as this needs a master of a pure but human heart. You answered well and honest to our questions, and you have proven through your life as such that you deserve to wield this item."
Set smiled and nodded, "You have suffered much, my son. But fear not. Many hardships await you ahead in life but you will suffer pain and darkness no more. You will have true love as you have wished, but only if you allow yourself to open up and let it in. You are destined for many great things, and those who share your destiny are close. They will become special to you in your life. Though not everything is clear now it will be in the end."
"Now take our gift. We give to you the staff of life, the Sennen Key. Only in your hands will its true power and purpose become evident, and it will serve no other that power then you. Use it well, guard its powers, and stay strong till the very end little prince," Ra smiled to him.
The two gods then stretched out their free hands to him and an Ankh appeared before Setna, glowing golden as it twirled in the air slowly. Setna looked at it in awe, then looked to Ra and Set but they had vanished back to their unearthly realm. Returning his gaze to the ankh, he reached out and grasped the golden end below the loop of the ankh. It began to glow then the part he had grabbed extended till it now touched the invisible ground, revealing its true form as a staff. Setna looked at it in awe, then willed it back into an ankh with which he hung around his neck.
Suddenly white ribbons of silk came from the sennen item and wrapped about his naked form, solidifying into a lavish white robe with golden trims, bracelets, choker, and barrettes in his hair with sapphires molded into them. Braids of blue silk fell from the barrettes above each ear and a blue sash crossed his front and back, the end clipped together to his side by a gold with sapphire broach. A long silk white turban formed around his head and fell past his shoulders down to his waist, held firmly to his forehead by a gold with sapphire ornament. All together, Setna had gone from a dirtied and abused prince to a stunning beauty, worthy of the title 'Son of Set.'
Then the darkness vanished, the lightheaded feeling dissolved, and Setna found himself standing once again with his uncle in a dark room chanting that spell. Setna quit chanting and opened his eyes, looking up at his uncle who was staring at him intently. Then he noticed he no longer wore Jono's shirt but was clothed in the robes that had come from the Sennen Key. Said ankh was also hanging from his neck, proving that what had just happened hadn't been a dream or a hallucination. Seth narrowed his eyes at the sight of the ankh, but just nodded his head and closed his eyes.
"So, you two have received a sennen item from the gods. Then I guess you have proven yourself worthy. Your clothes are the robes of a mage, thus saying the gods acknowledge you as a priest. Yes, fine. You are a strong mage and shall become a priest, yes. Now, come. We must leave here before that damn blonde get's impatient."
Glaring up at his uncle hatefully, Setna obediently followed Seth out of the room and back into the main hall of the temple. Jono was waiting and rushed to the prince's side once the priests around him backed down.
"Setna! You all right? He didn't touch you in anyway, did he? What happened to your clothes??"
Setna felt his anger subside and smiled warmly up at Jono, giving the blonde a sudden hug around the neck, "I'm fine! Wait till you hear what happened though!!"
Jono smiled and returned the hug, "Come on, we've been here longer then I thought we would. I'll take you to meet High Priest Simon now."
Nodding his head, Setna happily took the young man's hand and followed him out of the temple into the evening air. As they left, Seth watched them with hardened eyes and a deep frown. One day soon he'd make that blonde suffer a fate worthy of a worthless SLAVE like him. As for his nephew, he only prayed for the boy's sake that he was acting this out and was here to help overthrow the damn pharaoh.
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AnimeFan: Well, I bet this was a shocker for those of you who believed what Isis told Seto before Battle City. But really, this is what I think is the truth. I mean, just because Isis can see into the past doesn't mean she can lock onto a specific person's past! Seto was so sure that the blabbering fool of a priest he had seen wasn't him, and that's where this storing is getting to. The truth that the priest that fought the pharaoh and tried to destroy the world, WAS NOT HIM!! Ahahahahahahahaha!!!!