Blue Eyes: Hey everyone!! As promised, here is the long awaited next
chapter of Power Corrupts!! Sorry for taking so long, but as I said in my
author's note, I've got a lot of stuff going on. So now I'll end my
author's note and get back to what you really care about. One thing, I'm
kind of stuck on what to do in this chapter, so it won't come out as well
as the others. Please bear with me and my writer's block.
SPECIAL NOTE: not regarding this story, I have links to two pictures I drew on my profile(Marik and Mokuba), please check them out and tell me what you think ^_^
ALSO: What happens in this chapter and the next will be quite a shortened version of events that take place in another story of mine that I have not yet posted. Considering that it is all from Seth's point of view some things may not make perfect sense. If you read 'Hidden Memories, Past Lives Revealed' when I post it everything will make a lot more sense.
Now on with the fic!
Power Corrupts
Chapter 4
What seemed to be years passed as Kaiba remembered slowly everything that had occurred to himself centuries ago. After being made a slave in the Pharaoh's palace many of the memories Seto (or would it be Seth?) experienced were less then pleasant. Though Yami's father was for the most part an excellent ruler he, like everyone else at the time, seemed to have no misgivings about punishing slaves through beatings if they did not do what was required properly or in the right amount of time. Kaiba, however, was used to such things. His 'owners' reminded him much of his stepfather in that respect.
Yami, he discovered, had two elder brothers, Kohani and Khamai, in line for the throne before he. Kohani did not interest Seth much, as he mainly spent his time studying scriptures and hiding out in the temple of Osiris. Khamai however, was the eldest brother, next in line to become Pharaoh, and a champion in the Shadow Games.
Seth was eleven years old when he finally worked up the courage he needed to challenge his master to a Shadow Game. Ever since he had arrived in Egypt Seth had been in awe of the game. Whenever he had a free moment he would sneak to the mage's temple to watch them practice summoning the mighty beasts from their own realm. With all the hours Seth had spent memorizing monsters, traps, and techniques he figured he should be a master at it.
Then when Seth was summoned to the eldest son's chambers in order to clean them (as the usual slave for that job had been found guilty of stealing a golden bracelet from it and promptly killed) he knew that his only chance to speak to Khamai had come.
The man was not there when he arrived, and Seth was finished cleaning before he returned. He lingered, however, straightening the expensive garments of the royalty over and over again until Khamai came back. He did, much later, holding a young blonde slave woman by the arm. He didn't take notice to notice Seth at all until the young boy cleared his throat rather loudly.
Khamai glanced over and rolled his violet eyes.
"Aren't you done yet? Honestly, I've killed slaves before for working as slowly as you."
Seth fought back a glare, knowing very well that the man's words were true, and he would have no problem beheading any slaves who dared look at him the wrong way.
Royalty. Seth hated every one of them. They were the ones who had burned his home village to acquire new slaves, and then they decided to kill them whenever the mood struck them. All of them were the same.
Keeping his voice even and his eyes lowered slightly, Seth gave a response to the man, even though he doubted one was expected. Khamai had turned back to the girl by the time Seth's low voice reached his ears.
"I have a proposition for you, Lord Khamai."
Khamai turned, eyes wide as though disbelieving of what he had just heard.
"You have a proposition for me? Come child, what could you have to offer?"
The boy's eyes raised to meet Khamai, even though such a thing could warrant death.
"Anything you could ever have to wish from me. If you agree to duel me in a Shadow Game for my freedom I will do whatever you wish, save going back into enslavement."
Khamai, instead of being angered by such a ridiculous idea, seemed vaguely interested. Pushing the girl away he told her distractedly.
"Leave now."
Meeting Seth's gaze for a brief instant, the boy could see that her blue eyes shone with relief at being sent away, but also worry for the one who had dared challenge the Shadow Game's Champion. Then she turned and hurried as quickly as possible when not running out of the chambers. Her light footsteps in the hall were the only noise for several moments as Khamai sized the young man up and Seth waited for the lord to speak.
"What exactly do you ask for if you win this Shadow Game?"
Seth's blue eyes never wavered against the man's strong gaze.
"Only freedom from this or any other slavery. I wish for the opportunity to become an artisan."
Khamai laughed quietly for a moment, then responded.
"I could do you one better. If you manage to beat ME in a Shadow Duel you deserve to become a mage at least."
Seth's eyes widened. A slave becoming a mage? That was unheard of.
As unheard of as an immigrant slave challenging the Pharaoh's son.
"If you win, what will be your prize?" Seth asked with much suspicion.
Khamai smirked coldly.
"I have a job for you, slave, whether you win or not. You seem to be more clever then others of my servants to even think of challenging me. I have nothing to lose by simply refusing your request, but if I do agree then you will have to do something very important for me."
"What is it that you ask?" Seth asked eagerly. This was much farther along then he had ever hoped in getting. Khamai was actually willing to duel him!
The man tilted his head, then moved to his chamber doors and shut them quietly. Turning back to Seth the younger boy saw a dangerous glint in his eyes that had not been there before.
"I you breath even the smallest word about what I tell you within this room I swear that you will have your tongue ripped out and you will be mummified alive, do you understand me?"
Seth gulped but nodded. This must be quite an important task he was being entrusted with.
Khamai stalked towards him and continued quickly but softly.
"My father, as you must know unless your mind has been permanently damaged by beatings, is Pharaoh of Egypt. He is ruler, and I am next in line. Though a dearly love the man, I have decided that his rule has gone on for far too long." Seth's cobalt eyes widened. He could see where this was going. "I wish to become Pharaoh very shortly, but if I am caught trying to put the old man down I will lose my life instead, and we can't have that.
"Should I duel you, whether you win or lose, I want you to kill my father for me."
Seth's head shook slightly.
"He is always surrounded by guards. I will be caught."
"Not necessarily." Khamai said, sprawling on his bed and waving his head nonchalantly, as though discussing his father's murder was the most average thing in the world. "That's why I've decided on you for the job. Like I've said, you seem to have a good mind, and as a slave in the palace you won't be looked at twice entering the Pharaoh's chambers."
Seth crossed his arms as Khamai watched him. Now that the idea had been proposed, if Seth refused then he would be killed in a heartbeat. This was his only chance for freedom, and Seth couldn't bear to be a slave for the rest of his life.
'They are the ones who burned my home village to acquire new slaves, and then they decide to kill them whenever the mood struck them. All of them are the same.'
Seth had made his decision. The death of one related to Khamai would undoubtedly be no great loss to the kingdom. He saw the treatment of his fellow slaves to prove how horrible the man who was Pharaoh actually was.
Meeting the soon-to-be Pharaoh's gaze once more Seth said simply,
"Deal."
Khamai, stood up, smirking again.
"I think we're going to end up getting along very well, slave."
Slave. After the duel Seth would never be called that again. He would be a mage in the palace of the Pharaoh. The eleven-year-old boy let his mind capture that image in his mind for a moment.
Slowly, a cold smirk began to take shape on his lips as well.
*~*~*~*~*~*
TBC
*~*~*~*~*~*
Well, there are some of Kaiba's past life memories. Creepy, no? More will be up soon, I promise. I think my rut is starting to get filled with ideas again.
SPECIAL NOTE: not regarding this story, I have links to two pictures I drew on my profile(Marik and Mokuba), please check them out and tell me what you think ^_^
ALSO: What happens in this chapter and the next will be quite a shortened version of events that take place in another story of mine that I have not yet posted. Considering that it is all from Seth's point of view some things may not make perfect sense. If you read 'Hidden Memories, Past Lives Revealed' when I post it everything will make a lot more sense.
Now on with the fic!
Power Corrupts
Chapter 4
What seemed to be years passed as Kaiba remembered slowly everything that had occurred to himself centuries ago. After being made a slave in the Pharaoh's palace many of the memories Seto (or would it be Seth?) experienced were less then pleasant. Though Yami's father was for the most part an excellent ruler he, like everyone else at the time, seemed to have no misgivings about punishing slaves through beatings if they did not do what was required properly or in the right amount of time. Kaiba, however, was used to such things. His 'owners' reminded him much of his stepfather in that respect.
Yami, he discovered, had two elder brothers, Kohani and Khamai, in line for the throne before he. Kohani did not interest Seth much, as he mainly spent his time studying scriptures and hiding out in the temple of Osiris. Khamai however, was the eldest brother, next in line to become Pharaoh, and a champion in the Shadow Games.
Seth was eleven years old when he finally worked up the courage he needed to challenge his master to a Shadow Game. Ever since he had arrived in Egypt Seth had been in awe of the game. Whenever he had a free moment he would sneak to the mage's temple to watch them practice summoning the mighty beasts from their own realm. With all the hours Seth had spent memorizing monsters, traps, and techniques he figured he should be a master at it.
Then when Seth was summoned to the eldest son's chambers in order to clean them (as the usual slave for that job had been found guilty of stealing a golden bracelet from it and promptly killed) he knew that his only chance to speak to Khamai had come.
The man was not there when he arrived, and Seth was finished cleaning before he returned. He lingered, however, straightening the expensive garments of the royalty over and over again until Khamai came back. He did, much later, holding a young blonde slave woman by the arm. He didn't take notice to notice Seth at all until the young boy cleared his throat rather loudly.
Khamai glanced over and rolled his violet eyes.
"Aren't you done yet? Honestly, I've killed slaves before for working as slowly as you."
Seth fought back a glare, knowing very well that the man's words were true, and he would have no problem beheading any slaves who dared look at him the wrong way.
Royalty. Seth hated every one of them. They were the ones who had burned his home village to acquire new slaves, and then they decided to kill them whenever the mood struck them. All of them were the same.
Keeping his voice even and his eyes lowered slightly, Seth gave a response to the man, even though he doubted one was expected. Khamai had turned back to the girl by the time Seth's low voice reached his ears.
"I have a proposition for you, Lord Khamai."
Khamai turned, eyes wide as though disbelieving of what he had just heard.
"You have a proposition for me? Come child, what could you have to offer?"
The boy's eyes raised to meet Khamai, even though such a thing could warrant death.
"Anything you could ever have to wish from me. If you agree to duel me in a Shadow Game for my freedom I will do whatever you wish, save going back into enslavement."
Khamai, instead of being angered by such a ridiculous idea, seemed vaguely interested. Pushing the girl away he told her distractedly.
"Leave now."
Meeting Seth's gaze for a brief instant, the boy could see that her blue eyes shone with relief at being sent away, but also worry for the one who had dared challenge the Shadow Game's Champion. Then she turned and hurried as quickly as possible when not running out of the chambers. Her light footsteps in the hall were the only noise for several moments as Khamai sized the young man up and Seth waited for the lord to speak.
"What exactly do you ask for if you win this Shadow Game?"
Seth's blue eyes never wavered against the man's strong gaze.
"Only freedom from this or any other slavery. I wish for the opportunity to become an artisan."
Khamai laughed quietly for a moment, then responded.
"I could do you one better. If you manage to beat ME in a Shadow Duel you deserve to become a mage at least."
Seth's eyes widened. A slave becoming a mage? That was unheard of.
As unheard of as an immigrant slave challenging the Pharaoh's son.
"If you win, what will be your prize?" Seth asked with much suspicion.
Khamai smirked coldly.
"I have a job for you, slave, whether you win or not. You seem to be more clever then others of my servants to even think of challenging me. I have nothing to lose by simply refusing your request, but if I do agree then you will have to do something very important for me."
"What is it that you ask?" Seth asked eagerly. This was much farther along then he had ever hoped in getting. Khamai was actually willing to duel him!
The man tilted his head, then moved to his chamber doors and shut them quietly. Turning back to Seth the younger boy saw a dangerous glint in his eyes that had not been there before.
"I you breath even the smallest word about what I tell you within this room I swear that you will have your tongue ripped out and you will be mummified alive, do you understand me?"
Seth gulped but nodded. This must be quite an important task he was being entrusted with.
Khamai stalked towards him and continued quickly but softly.
"My father, as you must know unless your mind has been permanently damaged by beatings, is Pharaoh of Egypt. He is ruler, and I am next in line. Though a dearly love the man, I have decided that his rule has gone on for far too long." Seth's cobalt eyes widened. He could see where this was going. "I wish to become Pharaoh very shortly, but if I am caught trying to put the old man down I will lose my life instead, and we can't have that.
"Should I duel you, whether you win or lose, I want you to kill my father for me."
Seth's head shook slightly.
"He is always surrounded by guards. I will be caught."
"Not necessarily." Khamai said, sprawling on his bed and waving his head nonchalantly, as though discussing his father's murder was the most average thing in the world. "That's why I've decided on you for the job. Like I've said, you seem to have a good mind, and as a slave in the palace you won't be looked at twice entering the Pharaoh's chambers."
Seth crossed his arms as Khamai watched him. Now that the idea had been proposed, if Seth refused then he would be killed in a heartbeat. This was his only chance for freedom, and Seth couldn't bear to be a slave for the rest of his life.
'They are the ones who burned my home village to acquire new slaves, and then they decide to kill them whenever the mood struck them. All of them are the same.'
Seth had made his decision. The death of one related to Khamai would undoubtedly be no great loss to the kingdom. He saw the treatment of his fellow slaves to prove how horrible the man who was Pharaoh actually was.
Meeting the soon-to-be Pharaoh's gaze once more Seth said simply,
"Deal."
Khamai, stood up, smirking again.
"I think we're going to end up getting along very well, slave."
Slave. After the duel Seth would never be called that again. He would be a mage in the palace of the Pharaoh. The eleven-year-old boy let his mind capture that image in his mind for a moment.
Slowly, a cold smirk began to take shape on his lips as well.
*~*~*~*~*~*
TBC
*~*~*~*~*~*
Well, there are some of Kaiba's past life memories. Creepy, no? More will be up soon, I promise. I think my rut is starting to get filled with ideas again.