~Disclaimer...Oh my. I actually own a plot! O_O And I own Hasani, Meskehnet, and Chatha. Although Hasani and Chatha are the previous incarnations of two already established characters... I still own them!!! BWAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!! O_O And Hasani is such a bish! You should see the pic I've got of him! *drool* You really should read the full version with the pics inserted into the document. Makes for more...droolworthy reading. *goes back over her "full color" version and drools some more* Anybody interested? Just email my yami since she's the one who wrote this chapter. YamiAlice@aol.com I'm working on uploading it, but I'm gonna go pass out now since I've been writing for the past fifteen hours straight. @__@ Yes, I am totally serious. FIFTEEN HOURS!!!! *mumbles* You people better appreciate this... In honor of one hundred reviews I give you, ten pages as apposed to my normal two (I use a small font), eleven pictures (for those reading the image version), and a grand total of over 6,000 words.
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Angel Eyes
Chapter Sixteen:
The Truth
"Angel?" Malik asked as she emerged from the kitchen. He was afraid of whatever her mother had said. It was apparent it was nothing good. Her eyes, normally a vibrant, if a bit icy, blue, had become black. The white of her eyes shown more clearly only serving to better illuminate the darkness resting in their unfathomable depths.
Yuugi, Yami and Honda watched her as she stood completely still, staring off into space with barely concealed rage burning behind those soulless eyes.
"Angel?" Malik asked again. "What'd she say?"
"Stay here." Pierce responded in a monotone, never changing her gaze. Reaching up she removed the neko ears from her head. "I'll take care of this myself." Dropping the ears to the floor to be forgotten she took a step backwards and disappeared into the shadows on the wall. Without even a glance at her friends, she was gone.
All the boys could do was stare at the place where she had disappeared. After a moment Yami spoke up.
"What just happened?" he asked softly, not wanting to disrupt the strange silence that had descended on them.
"I told you," Malik began, "about her strange power. That was it."
A few more seconds of uninterrupted silence reined before he spoke again. "That...was not the Angel we know." he said ominously. "Something's happened. Something bad enough to awaken the darkness sleeping within her."
"Darkness?" Yuugi questioned.
"Yes." Malik responded. "I was hoping this would never happen. But it has and now I must tell you the rest of her story. To withhold this information now could only lead to suffering and death." He walked heavily back into the living room and motioned for the others to sit. But before he sat himself he said, "Honda, this does not concern you. You should leave now."
"No way!" Honda shouted angrily. "She may be your lover but she's my friend, Malik. I want to help her!"
Normally Malik would have let his anger and ego overcome him then, but instead he remained calm. "Your soul is new." he said simply. "You do not share the same past as myself, Angel, Yami, Seto Kaiba, Jounouchi Katsuya, Anzu Mazaki, and Bakura. To involve yourself in these matters is only to invite danger into your life. I will not allow outsiders to place themselves in our five thousand year old dilemma. Leave."
"No!" Honda asserted fervently. "I'm staying! Besides, what do you and Anzu have to do with what happened five thousand years ago? You weren't there!"
"I WAS THERE!" Malik passionately affirmed. "I was there through the whole thing! I saw the way Amunet's heart was torn between duty and love. I saw the way her love shunned her. And I was powerless to stop it when that bastard raped her and the memory of it drove her insane. I...I...couldn't save her." Malik could feel unshed tears beginning to make themselves known, but he would not give in to them. "This doesn't concern you! LEAVE!"
This last command, along with the trace of tears they could see in his eyes, was enough to make Honda relent. *This really doesn't concern me.* he realized. *Something happened back then to my friends and I wasn't there. Something horrible enough to make Malik cry.* With a nod of his head and not another word he turned and silently walked out the door.
With a emotion laded sigh Malik sat himself and began his story to a captive audience.
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The beautiful priestess Amunet walks silently though the halls of a golden palace at her brother's side. A small smile graces her face, however her brother's expression is darker, lost in his own thoughts. Attending them are a single priest and priestess from their orders.
The priestess wears a robe of soft white with her cowl pulled back to reveal her ebony hair draped in ringlets of gold. The only decoration on her body is a spiral armlet of sparkling gold encircling her upper arm. Her feet are covered in soft silken slippers of the same white as her dress. This priestess is days away from taking her vows and becoming her Lady Amunet's successor to the position of High Priestess.
The priest is dressed less ornately in but a simple brown robe which covers his entire body cinched at the waist with a red sash. His cowl is up, covering his head and shielding his face from view. He walks with his head bowed, the epitome of humble servitude. He does not aspire to be anything more than what he already is in life. A simple, low-class priest. It was a great honor he worked hard to achieve to attend his Lord Seth on his visit to the palace. But as humble as he is, he has very selfish reasons to want this honor. This is why he does not deem himself suitable to rise in rank. His heart is too selfish. He desires too much.
"Sister?" Seth suddenly speaks.
"Mmm?" she responds with a smile at her brother.
"Are you certain you wish to continue with this action?"
She chuckles slightly with amusement and says sweetly, "Of course. I cannot serve my goddess faithfully if my heart is torn so. I must make my feelings known in order to cleanse my soul. This is the only course before me."
"Is that so?" Seth asks with half amusement. "And what if the pharaoh does not return your affections? What will you do then?"
She chuckles yet again and says confidently, "But I know he will. I have had a vision, dear brother. Isis has told me to confess my heart and it will be returned by my true love. She says, though we cannot be together our feelings must be met head on or our hearts may fall into darkness and I will fall away from her. She says I will come to my soul mate at the palace on this night and all will be right. This is my path, and I follow it without fail. That is her will and I must comply."
Seth nods once and replies, "Then, if that is her will, you must obey. But sister, I have had a vision as well. Ra came and spoke to me in the guise of a hawk."
"Ra?" Amunet asks in shock. "Surely not. You serve Osiris."
This time it is Seth who chuckles. "Yes, but it is Ra who lives inside our pharaoh. And it is he who spoke to me."
"And," Amunet asks hesitantly, "what is it our lord said?"
"He bid me stand by both you and our pharaoh. No matter what it takes I must stay loyal to Kahlid. And no matter what it takes, I must take your heart in my hands." He pauses here to collect his thoughts, then continues. "I believe what he meant is that I must protect your feelings, though it is possible I am wrong. That is why I wanted to know if your heart was sure on this path. But now I know that it is."
Seth pauses hesitantly in his steps and takes Amunet's hand in his, pulling her to a stop as well.
"Sister," he says decidedly, "I will stand by the both of you. And if he does in fact return your love, I will support whatever decision you make. You are of high enough station without the title of High Priestess to become his queen. If you wish to forsake your vows and become our pharaoh's wife, I will stand by you."
At first Amunet looks stunned at her brother's words. Never has she considered such a course! Her goddess means everything to her. But a moment of thought brings out the sense in his words. Her smile slowly returns and she says simply, "If that is Isis' will..."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~a few minutes later in the throne room~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The pharaoh sits upon his throne with a kind, yet confident, smile gracing his face. The great doors open and both Amunet and Seth enter, trailed by their attendants.
The pharaoh holds out a hand in greeting and says, "Seth my friend. It is good to see you again." He stands after they perform a quick bow and approaches them, smiling brightly. He focuses his attention on the beaming priestess and takes both her hands in his. "Amunet." he says to her. "I am pleased to see you as well. You so seldom leave your temple. Isis is certainly blessed to have such a loyal and beautiful woman serving as her high priestess."
A light blush crosses her cheeks as she replies, "Thank you, my pharaoh. I am unworthy of such a compliment."
"Nonsense." he states. "It is only the truth." Then he gestures to the priest and priestess behind them with their heads bowed. "Well, introduce to me your honored attendants."
Both seem shocked at being asked to actually meet the pharaoh and keep their heads bowed.
Amunet continues smiling. She knows it is the pharaoh's way to act kindly to even the lowest of people. "This," she says while motioning to her priestess, "Is Meskehnet. In three days time she will take vows to become my successor."
Meskehnet bows low while the pharaoh says, "Ah, then Isis is doubly blessed, for she has another fine woman who will serve her as High Priestess." At this the flustered priestess blushes deeply.
"And this?" the pharaoh asks of Seth's priest.
Seth smiles and says, "This priest is of humble station in our temple. However, he whole heartedly serves Osiris and has often caught my attention with his pious and loyal service. I have several times offered him a place of higher status and yet he has repeatedly refused saying that his heart calls him to serve as a common priest. His name is Hasani."
This seems to peek the pharaoh's interest and as the priest bows he says, "Such a good priest is rare. But I wonder if your name suits you. Why do you keep your cowl up, my friend? Let us see if you are indeed as handsome as your name suggests."
The priest pauses mid-bow, but after a moment he says in a soft voice, "As you wish, my pharaoh."
A delicate, lightly tanned hand reaches up to clasp his hood. Holding it firmly, he raises himself up to stand proudly. Then he lets the cowl fall. Gasps come from all but Seth. His hair is the color of sun-bleached sand. His eyes two sparkling amethyst jewels. He is, most certainly, an exotic creature.
Amunet's heart nearly stops at the sight of such an enchanting man. *His name most certainly fits him*, she decides. Even though her heart belongs, above all, to her goddess, she now comes to realize why some priestesses are unable to keep their vows completely. With creatures such as him in their world, the light from Isis can be made to seem dim. She finds it odd that she cannot tear her eyes away from him. And what's more, she feels her heart flutter when she realizes he is staring at her as well with a gentle, almost loving, smile.
"You are not Egyptian." the pharaoh states in minor shock, regaining the priest's attention.
The priest smiles in a way more befitting royalty and says, "I am, my pharaoh. Though my father was not. I seem to have acquired his physical appearance."
The pharaoh nods, his curiosity getting the better of him. He would like to know more about this strange man. "And where did your father originate from?" he asks, not caring that the man is meeting his gaze. Such an action from those not of royal blood is normally cause for death.
"I honestly do not know." Hasani replies. "He died shortly after I was born. When I was seven years old my mother died and I entered into the temple as an apprentice. Therefore there is no one left who may tell me my father's origins."
"Foreigners are rare here." the pharaoh says. "Tell me your father's name."
Hasani closes his eyes in silent thought before smiling rather boldly and says, "The people of Egypt had trouble pronouncing his name, so they called him Lukman Jibade Khalfani." (A/N=try saying that three times fast.)
Amunet's eyes widened slightly in carefully concealed shock.
The pharaoh chuckles amusedly. "I see." he says with a grin. "That is why you hold no fear of meeting my gaze. You...are a prince."
"I did not know this, Kahlid." Seth says to the pharaoh. "He never spoke of his family."
The pharaoh smiles kindly and says almost wistfully, "A prophet, related to royalty, who shall rule. Yes, I remember hearing from my father about him."
Hasani's eyes show hopeful shock as he says, "You know of him, my pharaoh?"
The pharaoh replies, "Yes. My father once said he was a king from far away who had received a vision instructing him to come here. So, here he came. He first came to the court and presented himself to my father, the pharaoh. After that, he disappeared. No one knew what became of him. But before he disappeared he left a prophecy. 'Darkness shall rise and consume the soul which burns with the fire of the sun. Seven shall fall into darkness and seven shall rise again. Friends and allies torn apart. Enemies united for a common goal. All is forsaken by Ra. All becomes Nephthys domain.' I understand only one line of that prophecy. The one soul darkness shall consume is that of a pharaoh. I believe that pharaoh...is me."
Everyone remains in silence, taking in the heavy secrets that have just been revealed.
A crash echoes throughout the room and all five sets of eyes look to the origin of the sound. A servant girl is hastily picking up the empty tray she has just dropped. She wears a rather rich green tunic.
Noticing their gaze she freezes and quickly goes down on her knees. She bows, proneing her body on the floor and says desperately, "Forgive me, my pharaoh! I did not mean to spy! I was mearly coming to collect the empty wine glasses and could not help overhearing! I beg of you, make my death a swift one!" Her body quivers in fear as she waits for her punishment. Her short brown hair hiding her eyes.
"Calm down, Chatha." the pharaoh states. "It was my mistake for speaking such secrets in an open place. You are not at fault. If you keep what you have heard to yourself I will forget you have knowledge of them, thereby sparing your life."
The servant sat up with tears augmenting her red cheeks, her soft brown eyes shining with said tears. "Thank you, my pharaoh! You are truly kind!" she says before bowing again, gathering the tray and dashing out of the room.
The pharaoh chuckles and says to the questioning eyes of Seth and Amunet, "That was Chatha. She is of a minor noble family. Her father sold her to me as a concubine to pay his debts. She was such an innocent, I put her to work as a palace servant instead. Such a sad child really." Then a spark of joy seems to come to life in his eyes and he says cheerfully, "Well, enough of such depressing subjects! Amunet. Seth. What is it you came to speak to me about?"
Amunet blushes and ducks her head as her brother says, "Actually, my pharaoh. My sister has had a vision in which she was instructed by Isis to speak with you about something very important. It seems that if she does not her heart will become torn and she will be unable to properly serve as High Priestess. So, sister. It is time."
Amunet blushes even deeper but nods. The pharaoh smiles at her kindly and says, "Well, you may tell me anything that is in your heart and be assured that I will listen faithfully and answer honestly. So speak up."
Amunet takes a deep breath and begins. "My pharaoh, for some time now I have found my heart's love wandering from my goddess to a more earthly man. It was my intention to ignore these feelings and continue in my devotion to Isis. But since I have had my vision I find that I must confess my love. As is commanded by Isis. And in her name I say to you, my pharaoh, you are that man I love."
For a moment, no one spoke. The pharaoh thought long before answering, and when he did, it was to break this noble woman's heart.
"I'm sorry, Amunet." he said. "I do not return your love in such a way as a man loves a woman. I love you, true. But it is in the way Seth loves you, as a sister. Our father's were brothers, therefore you are my honored cousin and a princess. We have been together since we were but children and I have come to view you as my own sister. But I must say, I do not love you in the same way as you love me." He reaches out and places his hands on her shoulders to comfort her. "Forgive me." he says gently.
Amunet is close to tears. He has torn her heart in two with his words. "But..." she whispers, "it can't be. Isis told me that if I confessed my love it would be returned. She told me...she told me I would come to my soul mate here." A sob escapes her lips. "It can't be!" she cries and breaks free from his comforting grasp.
She turns and flees the throne room in a flurry of cloth and a cascade of tears. She runs through the palace and disappears out into the street.
"I thought as much." Seth says sadly to the pharaoh. "You're not allowed love in this life. I have seen it in my visions." He turns to look where his sister just disappeared and says, "Then...who did Isis speak of?" With a shake of his head he seems to gather his wits. Bowing to the pharaoh he says, "Please excuse me, Kahlid. I must go to my sister's temple and attempt to comfort her. For that is surely where she is going." Then he turns to his silent priest and says, "Come, Hasani."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~back in the present~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"But she didn't go back to the temple." Malik said sadly. "She ran through the streets and was caught by the thief king, Bakari and his gang. Seth waited at her temple until she returned, beaten and broken, at dawn."
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Seth paces frantically back and forth in front of the door that leads to his sister's inner chambers. It's a place forbidden to all but her handmaidens and himself. Two hours ago his sister had returned. Two hours ago her handmaidens had whisked her off to her chambers to heal. And now he waits. Waits for any news. He finally stops pacing and raises a hand to open the door, whether they want him in there or not. But at that moment the door opens and her head maiden steps out, closing the door behind her.
"Well?" he asks impatiently. "How is she?"
The woman sighs heavily and says, "I'm sorry, my lord. Though her body will heal, and is in fact almost completely healed thanks to her considerable power, her mind will never fully recover. She has been raped, my lord. Repeatedly. It is not something a woman of her purity can recover from in this life. It is a miracle her divine light has not been completely destroyed. But her mind remains beyond our grasp. She is lost in darkness."
"Darkness!?" Seth gasps, recalling the prophecy he had heard from the pharaoh's own lips.
The woman nods, not understanding his true meaning, and bows before stepping back into the room to continue her work.
Seth falls to his knees. "No." he whispers. "Not her. Not my beloved sister. Why her? She is...one of the seven? Is the prophecy coming to pass now?"
A loud crash followed by an explosion coming from her chambers calls his attention. The door is flung open and all of the handmaidens come streaming out, shrieking in terror. One cries out, "She is mad! Isis save us all! She is mad!!"
Just as the last woman exits the room his sister appears clad only in her shift. Her steps are slow and deliberate. Her eyes are solid black.
"Amunet?" he questions his sister.
When she speaks her voice is no longer kind and sweet. It is dark and foreboding. "Vengeance" she says. "Vengeance will be mine."
The gold band on her right wrist glows ominously as she speaks. "My vengeance shall be felt by those who have caused me pain." And with that she disappears with a golden flash.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~in the present again~~~~~~~~~~~~
"For three days Seth searched for his sister. During his search he came upon the bodies of those who had raped her. Their eyes had been plucked out, leaving only empty sockets. However that was the only wound. What had caused their deaths was magic. Shadow magic. Only Amunet possessed this power by way of her Sennen Band. It ripped the souls from their bodies and plunged them into eternal torment. But the gateway to the soul is the eyes, so they were ripped out as well. After three days the death toll left in her wake had reached over two hundred. She wasn't killing just her tormentors. She was killing all men who had taken advantage of women. It was then the pharaoh declared, with a heavy heart, that all mages were to hunt down and capture the mad High Priestess Amunet. And so it happened that she was captured and finally bound by the pharaoh's own hand. However, Seth was far from giving up on his sister."
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The pharaoh sits on his throne once more. However, this time he feels fully the weight that has been placed on his shoulders. He knows that if Amunet is allowed to retain the power of the Sennen Band she will eventually break free. And that cannot be allowed to happen. But to remove the Band will mean her life. For the Band was forged in darkness and in return for the powers it bestows on it's wearer, it also carries a price. A high one indeed. If it is ever removed, it demands the life of it's owner. There is only one course for the pharaoh to follow and it will mean the death of one he holds most dear.
"KAHLID!!" Seth yells down the hall as he storms into the throne room.
The pharaoh barely looks up his heart is so heavy. He knew this would happen. That is why he banned Seth from the palace until the sentence had been carried out. But he knew his old friend would still come. And brandishing the Sennen Rod no less.
"Kahlid!" Seth cries out once more, not bothering to stop or pay proper respect as he approaches the throne and looms over the silent pharaoh. "How can you do this!?" he demands angrily. "How can you sentence her to death!? The woman who gave you her heart and soul, who would have abandoned her vows for you!? Your own cousin! You cold-hearted bastard!!"
The pharaoh says softly, "I'm sorry, Seth. It has to be done."
"Has to be done!?" Seth demands. "Surely there's another way! Use your powers!"
The pharaoh slams his fist down on the arm of the throne in anger and says, "Don't you think I've tried that!? She's too far gone! I don't even think she's still in there!" He quickly regained his control though and said, "I don't know what to do, Seth. Without her...I'll be lost."
Seth suddenly became still as the meaning of his words became clear. "You DO love her, don't you?" he asked.
"I do." he responded.
"Then...why did you lie to her?"
"Because," he said and heaved a sigh. "I didn't want to pull her away from her vows. She was so happy in her life, I couldn't stand to change it. She is barely twenty-two. She deserves her time of happiness before it ends. One day, one way or another, she would've ruled and been unable to continue her life as a priestess. I didn't want to end her happy life so early."
"What do you mean," Seth wondered, "one way or another she would've ruled?"
"I mean, it is my fate to be consumed by darkness. I am only seventeen years old and that time of darkness is swiftly approaching. I will leave no heir. She is my eldest living relative. Older than you...by one year. She would have been pharaoh. I have even drawn up the proper documents designating her as my heir. But now...I'm afraid the throne is lost to our family. I will be the last pharaoh of our line. I will..." Suddenly he paused and looked at his high priest. "Seth," he said imploringly, "I can't do it. Please, help me. Please..."
Seth shook his head. "You can't ask me to kill my sister, Kahlid. She's too precious to me. I would do anything to save her."
"But don't you see?" he demanded. "This is the ONLY way to save her! Do you really want her to be lost to darkness, writhing in agony while her body refuses to stop the killing? If we destroy the Band now a glimmer of her may survive. She will be dead to us, but perhaps she can be reborn and live her happy life then. It is the only hope we have!"
At that moment a servant burst into the room and said quickly, "My pharaoh! The princess is beginning to free herself! We can't hold her much longer!"
The pharaoh nodded and dismissed the servant, then turned back to face Seth. "So, what's it to be, cousin?"
Seth took a long deep breath and let it out. After a pause he said softly, "Let's save the woman we both love."
in a secret room beneath Seth's temple
Seth has donned his finest priest's robes. The pharaoh has changed into his ceremonial clothes. Twelve of the most powerful priests hold a struggling Amunet down on a sacrificial alter. Though no sacrifice was to take place, it only seems proper. In the shadows five hooded figures lurk, from each can be seen a glimmer of gold. They are the most powerful mages in all the land, yet they remain unknown to each other. These five live in the shadows.
"Let us begin." Seth says as he removes his Rod from his belt and holds it over his head, the pharaoh standing by his side.
The five figures take this as their signal and step forward until they are ringing the altar. At this Amunet cries out, directing her gaze at a figure with crossed arms.
"BASTARD!!" she cries in her now demonic voice. "YOU WILL PAY!!!! YOU WILL NOT ESCAPE ME!!!! NO MATTER HOW LONG IT TAKES, I WILL KILL YOU!!!"
"Now, we will awaken the powers of our Sennen Items in order to destroy one of our own." Seth says solemnly and his Rod begins to glow with it's innate power. The pharaoh's Puzzle follows suit.
The hooded figures also activate their Items. A man pushes back his hood just enough for the Eye to unleash it's power as it begins to shine. A woman unhooks her cape and allows her Necklace's power to be set free. What appears to be twin men hold in their hands the Key and the Scales. And finally a young man no older than the pharaoh lowers his previously crossed arms to his side, revealing the Sennen Ring in all it's unholy glory.
Each Item increases in intensity as Seth recites the secret words. As he ends his chant all of the Items shine forth their light, the beams linking up with one another and forming a golden web of power over the alter. Suddenly all of the Items send forth one mighty surge of energy through the web to the spot just above Amunet's Band. Then the energy is pushed down and into the Band causing it to shatter. And with that, it is done. The light fades back into their respective Items and Amunet's body goes limp.
Without another word the five hooded figures silently leave the room. Seth quickly dismisses the twelve priests and the two most powerful men in Egypt sink down to their knees and sob out their pain and sorrow.
a few hours later
Both men still sit on the cold stone floor, Amunet's lifeless body on the altar. They have no more tears left to cry.
"One thing troubles me still, Kahlid." Seth says.
"What's that?" the pharaoh responds dejectedly.
"Amunet's vision." At the pharaoh's halfheartedly curious stare he continues. "In her vision Isis told her that if she confessed her love it would be returned. I understand that now. You returned her love, though you lied about it. But Isis told her that she would come to her soul mate at the palace on that night and that all would be right if she was obeyed. We obeyed her...but this cannot be right."
"I agree." the pharaoh responds, looking over the body of the hours gone priestess. "This cannot be right. Which means we misinterpreted something. We did something wrong. But...I believe I understand." He pauses and Seth urges him to continue. "Did you see the way she and Hasani looked at each other?"
"No. How?" Seth asks now very curious.
"I can't be sure, but the look I saw in his eyes was the look I knew was in my own the day I saw Amunet for the first time after she had begun her training. The last time I had seen her I was just a child of four and she nine. But the day I saw her again, she was a full grown woman. And I a man. That was the day I fell in love with her."
"You believe," Seth questions, "that you were not her soul mate? That it was Hasani?"
"I do." the pharaoh sighs. "And I can only hope they will be brought together again in their next life. I wish them all the love and happiness that I could not have in this life."
~~~~~~~~~Back to the present~~~~~~~~~~~
"And now you know it all." Malik finished. "The darkness I spoke of before I began my story is the insanity of Amunet. If we do not stop her. If we do not find a way to break her darkness, history will repeat itself."
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(A/N) okay, quick run-down on the translations of the Egyptian names I used. Hasani means "handsome". Kahlid means "immortal". Bakari means "noble oath". (only reason I used it is because it's close to Bakura) Chatha I just thought was pretty. It means "ends". Meskehnet means "destiny". (she was gonna play a bigger part but...I'm about to faint from writing so long. She can fade into obscurity for all I care right now.) Lukman Jibade Khalfani means, just like Yami/Kahlid/the pharaoh said, "a prophet related to royalty who shall rule". Okay, I think that's it. Bye bye now. *faints*
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*Bakura cracks open the smelling salts* Hey, baka! You forgot the reviews! [Nika: *whines* Do I gotta..? Oh, alright.
Reine-chan: Gomen! Hope this made up for the evil cliffhanger of doom!
Rei Akita: Yes, I know it's moshi moshi and not "mushi mushi". Stupid evil Japanese-hating spellcheck!! It keeps trying to make Bakura "baklava"!!! o_O Alice is passed out right now but she would probably say something along the lines of "Go fuck yourself." But I'm not that mean... (shifty eyes) I think I'm gonna make a side story of the Bakura dress-wearing hula-doing everyone-wants-to-see part. I don't see how it's gonna fit now that my yami has screwed up my story so much it's actually starting to make sense.
bluefuzzyelf: *growls dangerously* I'm a sleep-deprived fingers-are-aching vicious hanyou who has yet to see her update of your fic! I'm getting dangerous and I'm not even yami... ^__^ Field detective is good!
Maylia Intusha: heh-heh, thank Kami I've hidden my Millinium Mallet from Alice!
Haru-chan: *hugs her back* You're welcome! heh, I think I'd be too busy glomping Bakura to be scared of him if he came over to my house. In fact, he'd probably be scared of me!
lilhillbillie: Nope! Not gonna give away the secret of the card of... o.O Oops, almost gave it away. Alice says she likes you. You should find a very deep hole and hide now. She seems to be more dangerous with the people she likes.
Liviania: Lol, I wasn't sneaking! Honestly! o.O Where'd you get that image!? That even scared me a little...
PCU: Lol, gee I wonder how Malik and Pierce usually keep themselves occupied while Isis is away... Oh yes, I know. They play checkers! -_-
LoveLiesBleeding: Question, do you happen to like Sephiroth from FF7? Cause I found a pic of him in a very sexy, very shirtless, maybe even pantless way with the name LoveLiesBleeding across the top. Just wondering.
Quiet Pain: thanks for reviewing. here's what I like to call the mega-update! And thanks for being my one hundreth reviewer! You win a prize! .....no one knows what that prize is....but when I find out I'll let you know.
laDy SaSaMi7: Nooooo!!!!! Don't kill Bakura!!! That's Pierce's job. heh-heh ^_~ Yes, I agree wholeheartedly. Barbies are evil...
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Angel Eyes
Chapter Sixteen:
The Truth
"Angel?" Malik asked as she emerged from the kitchen. He was afraid of whatever her mother had said. It was apparent it was nothing good. Her eyes, normally a vibrant, if a bit icy, blue, had become black. The white of her eyes shown more clearly only serving to better illuminate the darkness resting in their unfathomable depths.
Yuugi, Yami and Honda watched her as she stood completely still, staring off into space with barely concealed rage burning behind those soulless eyes.
"Angel?" Malik asked again. "What'd she say?"
"Stay here." Pierce responded in a monotone, never changing her gaze. Reaching up she removed the neko ears from her head. "I'll take care of this myself." Dropping the ears to the floor to be forgotten she took a step backwards and disappeared into the shadows on the wall. Without even a glance at her friends, she was gone.
All the boys could do was stare at the place where she had disappeared. After a moment Yami spoke up.
"What just happened?" he asked softly, not wanting to disrupt the strange silence that had descended on them.
"I told you," Malik began, "about her strange power. That was it."
A few more seconds of uninterrupted silence reined before he spoke again. "That...was not the Angel we know." he said ominously. "Something's happened. Something bad enough to awaken the darkness sleeping within her."
"Darkness?" Yuugi questioned.
"Yes." Malik responded. "I was hoping this would never happen. But it has and now I must tell you the rest of her story. To withhold this information now could only lead to suffering and death." He walked heavily back into the living room and motioned for the others to sit. But before he sat himself he said, "Honda, this does not concern you. You should leave now."
"No way!" Honda shouted angrily. "She may be your lover but she's my friend, Malik. I want to help her!"
Normally Malik would have let his anger and ego overcome him then, but instead he remained calm. "Your soul is new." he said simply. "You do not share the same past as myself, Angel, Yami, Seto Kaiba, Jounouchi Katsuya, Anzu Mazaki, and Bakura. To involve yourself in these matters is only to invite danger into your life. I will not allow outsiders to place themselves in our five thousand year old dilemma. Leave."
"No!" Honda asserted fervently. "I'm staying! Besides, what do you and Anzu have to do with what happened five thousand years ago? You weren't there!"
"I WAS THERE!" Malik passionately affirmed. "I was there through the whole thing! I saw the way Amunet's heart was torn between duty and love. I saw the way her love shunned her. And I was powerless to stop it when that bastard raped her and the memory of it drove her insane. I...I...couldn't save her." Malik could feel unshed tears beginning to make themselves known, but he would not give in to them. "This doesn't concern you! LEAVE!"
This last command, along with the trace of tears they could see in his eyes, was enough to make Honda relent. *This really doesn't concern me.* he realized. *Something happened back then to my friends and I wasn't there. Something horrible enough to make Malik cry.* With a nod of his head and not another word he turned and silently walked out the door.
With a emotion laded sigh Malik sat himself and began his story to a captive audience.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The beautiful priestess Amunet walks silently though the halls of a golden palace at her brother's side. A small smile graces her face, however her brother's expression is darker, lost in his own thoughts. Attending them are a single priest and priestess from their orders.
The priestess wears a robe of soft white with her cowl pulled back to reveal her ebony hair draped in ringlets of gold. The only decoration on her body is a spiral armlet of sparkling gold encircling her upper arm. Her feet are covered in soft silken slippers of the same white as her dress. This priestess is days away from taking her vows and becoming her Lady Amunet's successor to the position of High Priestess.
The priest is dressed less ornately in but a simple brown robe which covers his entire body cinched at the waist with a red sash. His cowl is up, covering his head and shielding his face from view. He walks with his head bowed, the epitome of humble servitude. He does not aspire to be anything more than what he already is in life. A simple, low-class priest. It was a great honor he worked hard to achieve to attend his Lord Seth on his visit to the palace. But as humble as he is, he has very selfish reasons to want this honor. This is why he does not deem himself suitable to rise in rank. His heart is too selfish. He desires too much.
"Sister?" Seth suddenly speaks.
"Mmm?" she responds with a smile at her brother.
"Are you certain you wish to continue with this action?"
She chuckles slightly with amusement and says sweetly, "Of course. I cannot serve my goddess faithfully if my heart is torn so. I must make my feelings known in order to cleanse my soul. This is the only course before me."
"Is that so?" Seth asks with half amusement. "And what if the pharaoh does not return your affections? What will you do then?"
She chuckles yet again and says confidently, "But I know he will. I have had a vision, dear brother. Isis has told me to confess my heart and it will be returned by my true love. She says, though we cannot be together our feelings must be met head on or our hearts may fall into darkness and I will fall away from her. She says I will come to my soul mate at the palace on this night and all will be right. This is my path, and I follow it without fail. That is her will and I must comply."
Seth nods once and replies, "Then, if that is her will, you must obey. But sister, I have had a vision as well. Ra came and spoke to me in the guise of a hawk."
"Ra?" Amunet asks in shock. "Surely not. You serve Osiris."
This time it is Seth who chuckles. "Yes, but it is Ra who lives inside our pharaoh. And it is he who spoke to me."
"And," Amunet asks hesitantly, "what is it our lord said?"
"He bid me stand by both you and our pharaoh. No matter what it takes I must stay loyal to Kahlid. And no matter what it takes, I must take your heart in my hands." He pauses here to collect his thoughts, then continues. "I believe what he meant is that I must protect your feelings, though it is possible I am wrong. That is why I wanted to know if your heart was sure on this path. But now I know that it is."
Seth pauses hesitantly in his steps and takes Amunet's hand in his, pulling her to a stop as well.
"Sister," he says decidedly, "I will stand by the both of you. And if he does in fact return your love, I will support whatever decision you make. You are of high enough station without the title of High Priestess to become his queen. If you wish to forsake your vows and become our pharaoh's wife, I will stand by you."
At first Amunet looks stunned at her brother's words. Never has she considered such a course! Her goddess means everything to her. But a moment of thought brings out the sense in his words. Her smile slowly returns and she says simply, "If that is Isis' will..."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~a few minutes later in the throne room~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The pharaoh sits upon his throne with a kind, yet confident, smile gracing his face. The great doors open and both Amunet and Seth enter, trailed by their attendants.
The pharaoh holds out a hand in greeting and says, "Seth my friend. It is good to see you again." He stands after they perform a quick bow and approaches them, smiling brightly. He focuses his attention on the beaming priestess and takes both her hands in his. "Amunet." he says to her. "I am pleased to see you as well. You so seldom leave your temple. Isis is certainly blessed to have such a loyal and beautiful woman serving as her high priestess."
A light blush crosses her cheeks as she replies, "Thank you, my pharaoh. I am unworthy of such a compliment."
"Nonsense." he states. "It is only the truth." Then he gestures to the priest and priestess behind them with their heads bowed. "Well, introduce to me your honored attendants."
Both seem shocked at being asked to actually meet the pharaoh and keep their heads bowed.
Amunet continues smiling. She knows it is the pharaoh's way to act kindly to even the lowest of people. "This," she says while motioning to her priestess, "Is Meskehnet. In three days time she will take vows to become my successor."
Meskehnet bows low while the pharaoh says, "Ah, then Isis is doubly blessed, for she has another fine woman who will serve her as High Priestess." At this the flustered priestess blushes deeply.
"And this?" the pharaoh asks of Seth's priest.
Seth smiles and says, "This priest is of humble station in our temple. However, he whole heartedly serves Osiris and has often caught my attention with his pious and loyal service. I have several times offered him a place of higher status and yet he has repeatedly refused saying that his heart calls him to serve as a common priest. His name is Hasani."
This seems to peek the pharaoh's interest and as the priest bows he says, "Such a good priest is rare. But I wonder if your name suits you. Why do you keep your cowl up, my friend? Let us see if you are indeed as handsome as your name suggests."
The priest pauses mid-bow, but after a moment he says in a soft voice, "As you wish, my pharaoh."
A delicate, lightly tanned hand reaches up to clasp his hood. Holding it firmly, he raises himself up to stand proudly. Then he lets the cowl fall. Gasps come from all but Seth. His hair is the color of sun-bleached sand. His eyes two sparkling amethyst jewels. He is, most certainly, an exotic creature.
Amunet's heart nearly stops at the sight of such an enchanting man. *His name most certainly fits him*, she decides. Even though her heart belongs, above all, to her goddess, she now comes to realize why some priestesses are unable to keep their vows completely. With creatures such as him in their world, the light from Isis can be made to seem dim. She finds it odd that she cannot tear her eyes away from him. And what's more, she feels her heart flutter when she realizes he is staring at her as well with a gentle, almost loving, smile.
"You are not Egyptian." the pharaoh states in minor shock, regaining the priest's attention.
The priest smiles in a way more befitting royalty and says, "I am, my pharaoh. Though my father was not. I seem to have acquired his physical appearance."
The pharaoh nods, his curiosity getting the better of him. He would like to know more about this strange man. "And where did your father originate from?" he asks, not caring that the man is meeting his gaze. Such an action from those not of royal blood is normally cause for death.
"I honestly do not know." Hasani replies. "He died shortly after I was born. When I was seven years old my mother died and I entered into the temple as an apprentice. Therefore there is no one left who may tell me my father's origins."
"Foreigners are rare here." the pharaoh says. "Tell me your father's name."
Hasani closes his eyes in silent thought before smiling rather boldly and says, "The people of Egypt had trouble pronouncing his name, so they called him Lukman Jibade Khalfani." (A/N=try saying that three times fast.)
Amunet's eyes widened slightly in carefully concealed shock.
The pharaoh chuckles amusedly. "I see." he says with a grin. "That is why you hold no fear of meeting my gaze. You...are a prince."
"I did not know this, Kahlid." Seth says to the pharaoh. "He never spoke of his family."
The pharaoh smiles kindly and says almost wistfully, "A prophet, related to royalty, who shall rule. Yes, I remember hearing from my father about him."
Hasani's eyes show hopeful shock as he says, "You know of him, my pharaoh?"
The pharaoh replies, "Yes. My father once said he was a king from far away who had received a vision instructing him to come here. So, here he came. He first came to the court and presented himself to my father, the pharaoh. After that, he disappeared. No one knew what became of him. But before he disappeared he left a prophecy. 'Darkness shall rise and consume the soul which burns with the fire of the sun. Seven shall fall into darkness and seven shall rise again. Friends and allies torn apart. Enemies united for a common goal. All is forsaken by Ra. All becomes Nephthys domain.' I understand only one line of that prophecy. The one soul darkness shall consume is that of a pharaoh. I believe that pharaoh...is me."
Everyone remains in silence, taking in the heavy secrets that have just been revealed.
A crash echoes throughout the room and all five sets of eyes look to the origin of the sound. A servant girl is hastily picking up the empty tray she has just dropped. She wears a rather rich green tunic.
Noticing their gaze she freezes and quickly goes down on her knees. She bows, proneing her body on the floor and says desperately, "Forgive me, my pharaoh! I did not mean to spy! I was mearly coming to collect the empty wine glasses and could not help overhearing! I beg of you, make my death a swift one!" Her body quivers in fear as she waits for her punishment. Her short brown hair hiding her eyes.
"Calm down, Chatha." the pharaoh states. "It was my mistake for speaking such secrets in an open place. You are not at fault. If you keep what you have heard to yourself I will forget you have knowledge of them, thereby sparing your life."
The servant sat up with tears augmenting her red cheeks, her soft brown eyes shining with said tears. "Thank you, my pharaoh! You are truly kind!" she says before bowing again, gathering the tray and dashing out of the room.
The pharaoh chuckles and says to the questioning eyes of Seth and Amunet, "That was Chatha. She is of a minor noble family. Her father sold her to me as a concubine to pay his debts. She was such an innocent, I put her to work as a palace servant instead. Such a sad child really." Then a spark of joy seems to come to life in his eyes and he says cheerfully, "Well, enough of such depressing subjects! Amunet. Seth. What is it you came to speak to me about?"
Amunet blushes and ducks her head as her brother says, "Actually, my pharaoh. My sister has had a vision in which she was instructed by Isis to speak with you about something very important. It seems that if she does not her heart will become torn and she will be unable to properly serve as High Priestess. So, sister. It is time."
Amunet blushes even deeper but nods. The pharaoh smiles at her kindly and says, "Well, you may tell me anything that is in your heart and be assured that I will listen faithfully and answer honestly. So speak up."
Amunet takes a deep breath and begins. "My pharaoh, for some time now I have found my heart's love wandering from my goddess to a more earthly man. It was my intention to ignore these feelings and continue in my devotion to Isis. But since I have had my vision I find that I must confess my love. As is commanded by Isis. And in her name I say to you, my pharaoh, you are that man I love."
For a moment, no one spoke. The pharaoh thought long before answering, and when he did, it was to break this noble woman's heart.
"I'm sorry, Amunet." he said. "I do not return your love in such a way as a man loves a woman. I love you, true. But it is in the way Seth loves you, as a sister. Our father's were brothers, therefore you are my honored cousin and a princess. We have been together since we were but children and I have come to view you as my own sister. But I must say, I do not love you in the same way as you love me." He reaches out and places his hands on her shoulders to comfort her. "Forgive me." he says gently.
Amunet is close to tears. He has torn her heart in two with his words. "But..." she whispers, "it can't be. Isis told me that if I confessed my love it would be returned. She told me...she told me I would come to my soul mate here." A sob escapes her lips. "It can't be!" she cries and breaks free from his comforting grasp.
She turns and flees the throne room in a flurry of cloth and a cascade of tears. She runs through the palace and disappears out into the street.
"I thought as much." Seth says sadly to the pharaoh. "You're not allowed love in this life. I have seen it in my visions." He turns to look where his sister just disappeared and says, "Then...who did Isis speak of?" With a shake of his head he seems to gather his wits. Bowing to the pharaoh he says, "Please excuse me, Kahlid. I must go to my sister's temple and attempt to comfort her. For that is surely where she is going." Then he turns to his silent priest and says, "Come, Hasani."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~back in the present~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"But she didn't go back to the temple." Malik said sadly. "She ran through the streets and was caught by the thief king, Bakari and his gang. Seth waited at her temple until she returned, beaten and broken, at dawn."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Seth paces frantically back and forth in front of the door that leads to his sister's inner chambers. It's a place forbidden to all but her handmaidens and himself. Two hours ago his sister had returned. Two hours ago her handmaidens had whisked her off to her chambers to heal. And now he waits. Waits for any news. He finally stops pacing and raises a hand to open the door, whether they want him in there or not. But at that moment the door opens and her head maiden steps out, closing the door behind her.
"Well?" he asks impatiently. "How is she?"
The woman sighs heavily and says, "I'm sorry, my lord. Though her body will heal, and is in fact almost completely healed thanks to her considerable power, her mind will never fully recover. She has been raped, my lord. Repeatedly. It is not something a woman of her purity can recover from in this life. It is a miracle her divine light has not been completely destroyed. But her mind remains beyond our grasp. She is lost in darkness."
"Darkness!?" Seth gasps, recalling the prophecy he had heard from the pharaoh's own lips.
The woman nods, not understanding his true meaning, and bows before stepping back into the room to continue her work.
Seth falls to his knees. "No." he whispers. "Not her. Not my beloved sister. Why her? She is...one of the seven? Is the prophecy coming to pass now?"
A loud crash followed by an explosion coming from her chambers calls his attention. The door is flung open and all of the handmaidens come streaming out, shrieking in terror. One cries out, "She is mad! Isis save us all! She is mad!!"
Just as the last woman exits the room his sister appears clad only in her shift. Her steps are slow and deliberate. Her eyes are solid black.
"Amunet?" he questions his sister.
When she speaks her voice is no longer kind and sweet. It is dark and foreboding. "Vengeance" she says. "Vengeance will be mine."
The gold band on her right wrist glows ominously as she speaks. "My vengeance shall be felt by those who have caused me pain." And with that she disappears with a golden flash.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~in the present again~~~~~~~~~~~~
"For three days Seth searched for his sister. During his search he came upon the bodies of those who had raped her. Their eyes had been plucked out, leaving only empty sockets. However that was the only wound. What had caused their deaths was magic. Shadow magic. Only Amunet possessed this power by way of her Sennen Band. It ripped the souls from their bodies and plunged them into eternal torment. But the gateway to the soul is the eyes, so they were ripped out as well. After three days the death toll left in her wake had reached over two hundred. She wasn't killing just her tormentors. She was killing all men who had taken advantage of women. It was then the pharaoh declared, with a heavy heart, that all mages were to hunt down and capture the mad High Priestess Amunet. And so it happened that she was captured and finally bound by the pharaoh's own hand. However, Seth was far from giving up on his sister."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The pharaoh sits on his throne once more. However, this time he feels fully the weight that has been placed on his shoulders. He knows that if Amunet is allowed to retain the power of the Sennen Band she will eventually break free. And that cannot be allowed to happen. But to remove the Band will mean her life. For the Band was forged in darkness and in return for the powers it bestows on it's wearer, it also carries a price. A high one indeed. If it is ever removed, it demands the life of it's owner. There is only one course for the pharaoh to follow and it will mean the death of one he holds most dear.
"KAHLID!!" Seth yells down the hall as he storms into the throne room.
The pharaoh barely looks up his heart is so heavy. He knew this would happen. That is why he banned Seth from the palace until the sentence had been carried out. But he knew his old friend would still come. And brandishing the Sennen Rod no less.
"Kahlid!" Seth cries out once more, not bothering to stop or pay proper respect as he approaches the throne and looms over the silent pharaoh. "How can you do this!?" he demands angrily. "How can you sentence her to death!? The woman who gave you her heart and soul, who would have abandoned her vows for you!? Your own cousin! You cold-hearted bastard!!"
The pharaoh says softly, "I'm sorry, Seth. It has to be done."
"Has to be done!?" Seth demands. "Surely there's another way! Use your powers!"
The pharaoh slams his fist down on the arm of the throne in anger and says, "Don't you think I've tried that!? She's too far gone! I don't even think she's still in there!" He quickly regained his control though and said, "I don't know what to do, Seth. Without her...I'll be lost."
Seth suddenly became still as the meaning of his words became clear. "You DO love her, don't you?" he asked.
"I do." he responded.
"Then...why did you lie to her?"
"Because," he said and heaved a sigh. "I didn't want to pull her away from her vows. She was so happy in her life, I couldn't stand to change it. She is barely twenty-two. She deserves her time of happiness before it ends. One day, one way or another, she would've ruled and been unable to continue her life as a priestess. I didn't want to end her happy life so early."
"What do you mean," Seth wondered, "one way or another she would've ruled?"
"I mean, it is my fate to be consumed by darkness. I am only seventeen years old and that time of darkness is swiftly approaching. I will leave no heir. She is my eldest living relative. Older than you...by one year. She would have been pharaoh. I have even drawn up the proper documents designating her as my heir. But now...I'm afraid the throne is lost to our family. I will be the last pharaoh of our line. I will..." Suddenly he paused and looked at his high priest. "Seth," he said imploringly, "I can't do it. Please, help me. Please..."
Seth shook his head. "You can't ask me to kill my sister, Kahlid. She's too precious to me. I would do anything to save her."
"But don't you see?" he demanded. "This is the ONLY way to save her! Do you really want her to be lost to darkness, writhing in agony while her body refuses to stop the killing? If we destroy the Band now a glimmer of her may survive. She will be dead to us, but perhaps she can be reborn and live her happy life then. It is the only hope we have!"
At that moment a servant burst into the room and said quickly, "My pharaoh! The princess is beginning to free herself! We can't hold her much longer!"
The pharaoh nodded and dismissed the servant, then turned back to face Seth. "So, what's it to be, cousin?"
Seth took a long deep breath and let it out. After a pause he said softly, "Let's save the woman we both love."
in a secret room beneath Seth's temple
Seth has donned his finest priest's robes. The pharaoh has changed into his ceremonial clothes. Twelve of the most powerful priests hold a struggling Amunet down on a sacrificial alter. Though no sacrifice was to take place, it only seems proper. In the shadows five hooded figures lurk, from each can be seen a glimmer of gold. They are the most powerful mages in all the land, yet they remain unknown to each other. These five live in the shadows.
"Let us begin." Seth says as he removes his Rod from his belt and holds it over his head, the pharaoh standing by his side.
The five figures take this as their signal and step forward until they are ringing the altar. At this Amunet cries out, directing her gaze at a figure with crossed arms.
"BASTARD!!" she cries in her now demonic voice. "YOU WILL PAY!!!! YOU WILL NOT ESCAPE ME!!!! NO MATTER HOW LONG IT TAKES, I WILL KILL YOU!!!"
"Now, we will awaken the powers of our Sennen Items in order to destroy one of our own." Seth says solemnly and his Rod begins to glow with it's innate power. The pharaoh's Puzzle follows suit.
The hooded figures also activate their Items. A man pushes back his hood just enough for the Eye to unleash it's power as it begins to shine. A woman unhooks her cape and allows her Necklace's power to be set free. What appears to be twin men hold in their hands the Key and the Scales. And finally a young man no older than the pharaoh lowers his previously crossed arms to his side, revealing the Sennen Ring in all it's unholy glory.
Each Item increases in intensity as Seth recites the secret words. As he ends his chant all of the Items shine forth their light, the beams linking up with one another and forming a golden web of power over the alter. Suddenly all of the Items send forth one mighty surge of energy through the web to the spot just above Amunet's Band. Then the energy is pushed down and into the Band causing it to shatter. And with that, it is done. The light fades back into their respective Items and Amunet's body goes limp.
Without another word the five hooded figures silently leave the room. Seth quickly dismisses the twelve priests and the two most powerful men in Egypt sink down to their knees and sob out their pain and sorrow.
a few hours later
Both men still sit on the cold stone floor, Amunet's lifeless body on the altar. They have no more tears left to cry.
"One thing troubles me still, Kahlid." Seth says.
"What's that?" the pharaoh responds dejectedly.
"Amunet's vision." At the pharaoh's halfheartedly curious stare he continues. "In her vision Isis told her that if she confessed her love it would be returned. I understand that now. You returned her love, though you lied about it. But Isis told her that she would come to her soul mate at the palace on that night and that all would be right if she was obeyed. We obeyed her...but this cannot be right."
"I agree." the pharaoh responds, looking over the body of the hours gone priestess. "This cannot be right. Which means we misinterpreted something. We did something wrong. But...I believe I understand." He pauses and Seth urges him to continue. "Did you see the way she and Hasani looked at each other?"
"No. How?" Seth asks now very curious.
"I can't be sure, but the look I saw in his eyes was the look I knew was in my own the day I saw Amunet for the first time after she had begun her training. The last time I had seen her I was just a child of four and she nine. But the day I saw her again, she was a full grown woman. And I a man. That was the day I fell in love with her."
"You believe," Seth questions, "that you were not her soul mate? That it was Hasani?"
"I do." the pharaoh sighs. "And I can only hope they will be brought together again in their next life. I wish them all the love and happiness that I could not have in this life."
~~~~~~~~~Back to the present~~~~~~~~~~~
"And now you know it all." Malik finished. "The darkness I spoke of before I began my story is the insanity of Amunet. If we do not stop her. If we do not find a way to break her darkness, history will repeat itself."
_________________________________________________________________________________
(A/N) okay, quick run-down on the translations of the Egyptian names I used. Hasani means "handsome". Kahlid means "immortal". Bakari means "noble oath". (only reason I used it is because it's close to Bakura) Chatha I just thought was pretty. It means "ends". Meskehnet means "destiny". (she was gonna play a bigger part but...I'm about to faint from writing so long. She can fade into obscurity for all I care right now.) Lukman Jibade Khalfani means, just like Yami/Kahlid/the pharaoh said, "a prophet related to royalty who shall rule". Okay, I think that's it. Bye bye now. *faints*
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*Bakura cracks open the smelling salts* Hey, baka! You forgot the reviews! [Nika: *whines* Do I gotta..? Oh, alright.
Reine-chan: Gomen! Hope this made up for the evil cliffhanger of doom!
Rei Akita: Yes, I know it's moshi moshi and not "mushi mushi". Stupid evil Japanese-hating spellcheck!! It keeps trying to make Bakura "baklava"!!! o_O Alice is passed out right now but she would probably say something along the lines of "Go fuck yourself." But I'm not that mean... (shifty eyes) I think I'm gonna make a side story of the Bakura dress-wearing hula-doing everyone-wants-to-see part. I don't see how it's gonna fit now that my yami has screwed up my story so much it's actually starting to make sense.
bluefuzzyelf: *growls dangerously* I'm a sleep-deprived fingers-are-aching vicious hanyou who has yet to see her update of your fic! I'm getting dangerous and I'm not even yami... ^__^ Field detective is good!
Maylia Intusha: heh-heh, thank Kami I've hidden my Millinium Mallet from Alice!
Haru-chan: *hugs her back* You're welcome! heh, I think I'd be too busy glomping Bakura to be scared of him if he came over to my house. In fact, he'd probably be scared of me!
lilhillbillie: Nope! Not gonna give away the secret of the card of... o.O Oops, almost gave it away. Alice says she likes you. You should find a very deep hole and hide now. She seems to be more dangerous with the people she likes.
Liviania: Lol, I wasn't sneaking! Honestly! o.O Where'd you get that image!? That even scared me a little...
PCU: Lol, gee I wonder how Malik and Pierce usually keep themselves occupied while Isis is away... Oh yes, I know. They play checkers! -_-
LoveLiesBleeding: Question, do you happen to like Sephiroth from FF7? Cause I found a pic of him in a very sexy, very shirtless, maybe even pantless way with the name LoveLiesBleeding across the top. Just wondering.
Quiet Pain: thanks for reviewing. here's what I like to call the mega-update! And thanks for being my one hundreth reviewer! You win a prize! .....no one knows what that prize is....but when I find out I'll let you know.
laDy SaSaMi7: Nooooo!!!!! Don't kill Bakura!!! That's Pierce's job. heh-heh ^_~ Yes, I agree wholeheartedly. Barbies are evil...