Chapter three
Atemu
"Well, where should I begin?" Yami sat on the sofa next to his Aibou who had a paper and a pencil on his lap ready to write everything down Yami would tell him. His face held a rather curios expression waiting for his Yami to begin. "Come on Yami. You already mentioned a special year." "Yes, right. First of all you should know that my name was not Yami or Yugi. I was called Pharaoh Atemu." "Atemu?" "Yeah. That was my name. I became Pharaoh at the age of thirteen after my father died in the war to defend freedom and justice. But that's another chapter of my past. It was in the year of my nineteenth birthday, the last year I was alive. And that's the point where our story begins..."
Pharaoh Atemu sat in his throne and tapped with his fingers impatiently onto the golden metal of his armchair. He was waiting for his soldiers to return, he had sent them after a group of tomb robbers earlier that day. "Note to myself: Execute that incompetent Captain right after his return together with this worthless rabble of robbers." he thought and his sharp crimson eyes narrowed in anger. "Nobody has the right to let me wait."
Such a reaction was typical for the high and mighty Pharaoh. Although he was not unfair in his decisions he was a cold-hearted person who cared for nothing and nobody. He had sworn after his fathers' death to fulfill his dream of a peaceful country and so he ruled Egypt with a strong and often bloody hand. The people were afraid of the hard punishment the Pharaoh had for everybody who broke the laws. Mercy was a word that didn't exist in Atemus vocabulary.
"Wow that sounds more like Kaiba.", Yugi said, writing everything down Yami had told. "I can't imagine that this was really you." Yami smirked. "Just wait Yugi and let me tell."
Six years Atemu had been Pharaoh now and the young and quite handsome young man would become nineteen in three months, in June. He was strong build and an excellent duelist who could win a shadow game easily, but in the years of his regency he never really had to use it. The strict laws had kept peace in the country. Both his enemies and his own people were afraid of Atemu, the high and mighty Pharaoh of Egypt.
He was not interested in friendship, although he had a few people who were close to him: Shinkan Seth, his cousin, and Shinkan Mahadoo with his assistant, the Priestess Mana. He also had some trustworthy advisers: Shinkan Akunadin, Shinkan Aishis, Shinkan Karim and Shinkan Shada. Those four, Seth, Mahadoo and the Pharaoh himself were the owners of the Sennen-Items. Atemu was given the Sennen- Puzzle by his father and so he kept it in honor.
But in the last month the situation had changed. Tomb robbers approached more and more often and voices whispered about a shadow from the East. A mysterious man who wanted to cover the whole country with darkness. Although Atemu was not interested in that "silly fairy-tale", how he called it, he was concerned about the increasing criminality. He had given the order to persecute every single tomb robber and take him to the palace, dead or alive.
A knock on the door caught his attention. "Come in.", he commanded. The door opened and Shinkan Seth stepped in and bowed slightly in front of the throne. "Good afternoon my Pharaoh." "Welcome cousin. You have news for me?" "That's right, my Pharaoh. But the news I'm going to tell you won't you like to hear."
The Pharaoh looked at his cousin annoyed. "What is it this time?" he asked rudely. "Several tombs in Theben have been robbed and we have no idea who has done that. Trails could not be found. Maybe that rumor..." Atemus eyes shot his cousin a death glare. Angrily he slammed his fists onto his throne: "DON'T TELL ME THAT EVEN YOU BELIEVE IN THAT STUPID FAIRY-TALE. IT'S A GOOD STORY TO SCARE LITTLE CHILDREN WHEN THEY REFUSE TO SLEEP, BUT I HAVE TO RULE A COUNTRY AND NO TIME FOR THAT SILLY RUBBISH!!!" The Shinkan sighed. He knew about his stubborn cousin's temper, it made no sense to try to talk to him when he was in that mood. Atemu had got up from his throne and walked around the room, his hands crossed on his back. Seth knew that whenever Atemu walked up and down, he was thinking. Suddenly a smirk appeared on the Pharaohs face. "What do you think Seth? What would happen if those tomb robbers weren't only haunted by my soldiers but by the people as well? They can only escape us every time because they are supported by the masses. You agree?"
"Maybe you're right, but if you think about that rumor..." "I'll take this as an agreement Seth.", the Pharaoh interrupted his Shinkan. Seth sighed. "For sure, my Pharaoh." "Good. And now hear my plan. It will start in Theben and I will do it in every other city as well, if I have the suspicion that criminals are supported by the inhabitants." "And what do you want to do?"
Atemu smirked maliciously. "Take from fifteen families the oldest child. Send the boys into my army or to hard work in the mines. Bring the girls into the several palaces and make them servants or slaves. And make sure to everybody in Theben and in whole Egypt that this will happen again and again as long my underlings help criminals. That's all; you're dismissed now, but fulfill what I told you immediately. Go now!"
Shinkan Seth didn't contradict his cousin, although he was not pleased by his plans. He bowed and rushed out of the throne room.
Atemu smiled satisfied about his plan. "It would be ridiculous if I would not be able to handle some silly robbers."
Yami made a pause and looked down ashamed. Yugis eyes had gone larger than they normally were. "You did what??! You're kidding me, that's a joke, right?" Yami blushed embarrassed. "I'm sorry to say that Aibou, but that is no joke indeed. I now, I was evil and not fair, but I had never learned that mercy was a good thing. My father showed mercy and was a wonderful king, but what was the end? He was killed in a war by the evil. And I thought that I could oppress everything that was dark if I just ruled hard enough. The only thing I didn't recognize was that the darkness was in me and my soul. That it increased year by year." Yami looked to the ground. "I know I was cruel." Yugi patted his shoulder. "Don't worry, you're not evil anymore. You have changed and that is important." "Yeah Aibou. I've changed. And do you want to know how?" "Of course." "Good. Then let's go on."
Shinkan Mahadoo, glorious keeper of the Sennen-Ring, stormed quickly through the halls towards the Pharaohs' chambers. It was early in the morning near sunrise, but the Priest knew that the Pharaoh was a great morning person, usually awake earlier than the whole palace. Mahadoos steps got faster. When he reached the door that lead to Atemus chambers he pushed it open quickly. The Pharaoh could not be seen. "My Pharaoh? It's me, Shinkan Mahadoo. I would like to talk to you!"
From the next room came some faint sounds and then the Pharaohs voice. "Wait a minute, I'm coming." The door flung open and Atemu stepped out, fresh bathed. He grinned triumphantly. "Ah Mahadoo, good to see you. What can I do for you so early in a wonderful morning?" Mahadoo glanced at him. He knew the reason for the Pharaohs good mood; he was more than satisfied with himself. "You could do me a favour and cancel those stupid sanctions you have created yesterday. I was shocked when I heard about it. Atemu, are you crazy? You risk a civil war, demonstrations and revolution." The Pharaohs smile had faded away while he listened to Mahadoos speech. He shot his Shinkan an angry glare and said in a dangerous calm voice: "Listen Mahadoo. Since it is me who is Pharaoh I decide what is good for my land. I'll deal with that mutt called tomb robbers in my way. That's not of your business; you don't have the right to tell me how to rule a country. Not get out of my eyes. Did I make myself clear?!" The Shinkan looked straight in Atemus eyes. "Atemu..."
Mahadoo couldn't finish his sentence. Suddenly loud voices from outside the room were shouting. "Leave me alone and bring me home. What have I done? Will you put your fingers away from me?!!!" "OUCH!!" Atemu and Mahadoo looked at each other curious. The first voice belonged to a girl, no question. The "Ouch!" had come from a guard. The Pharaoh and the Shinkan stepped out of the room immediately. Their eyes widened in surprise. Two guards were in great trouble holding a girl who struggled with all her might against the strong grip screaming and shrieking. "What the hell is going on here?!", Atemus commanding voice echoed through the halls when he stepped closer. "I'm sorry my Pharaoh", one of the guards said, "we have brought one of the girls from Theben." Atemu smirked. "Well done. Let's...OUCH!", the Pharaoh yelled. He had tried to bent down and have a look on the still struggling girl when suddenly on of her fists met his jaw. Atemus eyes widened in shock and in pain, the others froze in their movements. "She's dead." Mahadoo thought. "He will kill her right now." "How dare you...HOW DARE YOU?!!!!!" the Pharaoh yelled gripping the girls roughly by the shoulders. "Get ready for the hardest punishment!" Two ocean blue eyes with a hint of crimson looked at him angrily. "You know what high and mighty Pharaoh?" , her voice dripped from sarcasm and rage. "I would prefer to die than to be stuck in one building with a cruel bastard that you are!" Atemu just stared at her. Nobody had ever dared to talk to him that way. He lifted her chin with his hand and looked straight into her face. She was pretty indeed. Her skin was tanned and soft in touch, her lips rosy. Her long black curly hair shined silky and fell her upon the shoulders. And her eyes. Big and bright and so blue that even the sky was not of that colour.
"What's your name, girl?" Atemus asked. "Shanna." "And, how old are you?" "Sixteen." "Great great great!" "What is great?" The Pharaoh smirked maliciously that made Shanna shiver. "You see, I have found a punishment for you, even better than execution. You said you would prefer death instead of living with me in one building? Well, you'll be my personal servant from now on. And lucky you, you're going to share a room with me. Isn't that great?"
End of chapter
Thanks to those who have reviewed. I hope, you liked that chappie! Yami is evil, isn't he?
That story will NOT be a slash story, it's Yami and Shanna. But I think it's obvious now^^
For all those who don't know: "Shinkan" is an Egyptian Priest.
So please read and review now!
Atemu
"Well, where should I begin?" Yami sat on the sofa next to his Aibou who had a paper and a pencil on his lap ready to write everything down Yami would tell him. His face held a rather curios expression waiting for his Yami to begin. "Come on Yami. You already mentioned a special year." "Yes, right. First of all you should know that my name was not Yami or Yugi. I was called Pharaoh Atemu." "Atemu?" "Yeah. That was my name. I became Pharaoh at the age of thirteen after my father died in the war to defend freedom and justice. But that's another chapter of my past. It was in the year of my nineteenth birthday, the last year I was alive. And that's the point where our story begins..."
Pharaoh Atemu sat in his throne and tapped with his fingers impatiently onto the golden metal of his armchair. He was waiting for his soldiers to return, he had sent them after a group of tomb robbers earlier that day. "Note to myself: Execute that incompetent Captain right after his return together with this worthless rabble of robbers." he thought and his sharp crimson eyes narrowed in anger. "Nobody has the right to let me wait."
Such a reaction was typical for the high and mighty Pharaoh. Although he was not unfair in his decisions he was a cold-hearted person who cared for nothing and nobody. He had sworn after his fathers' death to fulfill his dream of a peaceful country and so he ruled Egypt with a strong and often bloody hand. The people were afraid of the hard punishment the Pharaoh had for everybody who broke the laws. Mercy was a word that didn't exist in Atemus vocabulary.
"Wow that sounds more like Kaiba.", Yugi said, writing everything down Yami had told. "I can't imagine that this was really you." Yami smirked. "Just wait Yugi and let me tell."
Six years Atemu had been Pharaoh now and the young and quite handsome young man would become nineteen in three months, in June. He was strong build and an excellent duelist who could win a shadow game easily, but in the years of his regency he never really had to use it. The strict laws had kept peace in the country. Both his enemies and his own people were afraid of Atemu, the high and mighty Pharaoh of Egypt.
He was not interested in friendship, although he had a few people who were close to him: Shinkan Seth, his cousin, and Shinkan Mahadoo with his assistant, the Priestess Mana. He also had some trustworthy advisers: Shinkan Akunadin, Shinkan Aishis, Shinkan Karim and Shinkan Shada. Those four, Seth, Mahadoo and the Pharaoh himself were the owners of the Sennen-Items. Atemu was given the Sennen- Puzzle by his father and so he kept it in honor.
But in the last month the situation had changed. Tomb robbers approached more and more often and voices whispered about a shadow from the East. A mysterious man who wanted to cover the whole country with darkness. Although Atemu was not interested in that "silly fairy-tale", how he called it, he was concerned about the increasing criminality. He had given the order to persecute every single tomb robber and take him to the palace, dead or alive.
A knock on the door caught his attention. "Come in.", he commanded. The door opened and Shinkan Seth stepped in and bowed slightly in front of the throne. "Good afternoon my Pharaoh." "Welcome cousin. You have news for me?" "That's right, my Pharaoh. But the news I'm going to tell you won't you like to hear."
The Pharaoh looked at his cousin annoyed. "What is it this time?" he asked rudely. "Several tombs in Theben have been robbed and we have no idea who has done that. Trails could not be found. Maybe that rumor..." Atemus eyes shot his cousin a death glare. Angrily he slammed his fists onto his throne: "DON'T TELL ME THAT EVEN YOU BELIEVE IN THAT STUPID FAIRY-TALE. IT'S A GOOD STORY TO SCARE LITTLE CHILDREN WHEN THEY REFUSE TO SLEEP, BUT I HAVE TO RULE A COUNTRY AND NO TIME FOR THAT SILLY RUBBISH!!!" The Shinkan sighed. He knew about his stubborn cousin's temper, it made no sense to try to talk to him when he was in that mood. Atemu had got up from his throne and walked around the room, his hands crossed on his back. Seth knew that whenever Atemu walked up and down, he was thinking. Suddenly a smirk appeared on the Pharaohs face. "What do you think Seth? What would happen if those tomb robbers weren't only haunted by my soldiers but by the people as well? They can only escape us every time because they are supported by the masses. You agree?"
"Maybe you're right, but if you think about that rumor..." "I'll take this as an agreement Seth.", the Pharaoh interrupted his Shinkan. Seth sighed. "For sure, my Pharaoh." "Good. And now hear my plan. It will start in Theben and I will do it in every other city as well, if I have the suspicion that criminals are supported by the inhabitants." "And what do you want to do?"
Atemu smirked maliciously. "Take from fifteen families the oldest child. Send the boys into my army or to hard work in the mines. Bring the girls into the several palaces and make them servants or slaves. And make sure to everybody in Theben and in whole Egypt that this will happen again and again as long my underlings help criminals. That's all; you're dismissed now, but fulfill what I told you immediately. Go now!"
Shinkan Seth didn't contradict his cousin, although he was not pleased by his plans. He bowed and rushed out of the throne room.
Atemu smiled satisfied about his plan. "It would be ridiculous if I would not be able to handle some silly robbers."
Yami made a pause and looked down ashamed. Yugis eyes had gone larger than they normally were. "You did what??! You're kidding me, that's a joke, right?" Yami blushed embarrassed. "I'm sorry to say that Aibou, but that is no joke indeed. I now, I was evil and not fair, but I had never learned that mercy was a good thing. My father showed mercy and was a wonderful king, but what was the end? He was killed in a war by the evil. And I thought that I could oppress everything that was dark if I just ruled hard enough. The only thing I didn't recognize was that the darkness was in me and my soul. That it increased year by year." Yami looked to the ground. "I know I was cruel." Yugi patted his shoulder. "Don't worry, you're not evil anymore. You have changed and that is important." "Yeah Aibou. I've changed. And do you want to know how?" "Of course." "Good. Then let's go on."
Shinkan Mahadoo, glorious keeper of the Sennen-Ring, stormed quickly through the halls towards the Pharaohs' chambers. It was early in the morning near sunrise, but the Priest knew that the Pharaoh was a great morning person, usually awake earlier than the whole palace. Mahadoos steps got faster. When he reached the door that lead to Atemus chambers he pushed it open quickly. The Pharaoh could not be seen. "My Pharaoh? It's me, Shinkan Mahadoo. I would like to talk to you!"
From the next room came some faint sounds and then the Pharaohs voice. "Wait a minute, I'm coming." The door flung open and Atemu stepped out, fresh bathed. He grinned triumphantly. "Ah Mahadoo, good to see you. What can I do for you so early in a wonderful morning?" Mahadoo glanced at him. He knew the reason for the Pharaohs good mood; he was more than satisfied with himself. "You could do me a favour and cancel those stupid sanctions you have created yesterday. I was shocked when I heard about it. Atemu, are you crazy? You risk a civil war, demonstrations and revolution." The Pharaohs smile had faded away while he listened to Mahadoos speech. He shot his Shinkan an angry glare and said in a dangerous calm voice: "Listen Mahadoo. Since it is me who is Pharaoh I decide what is good for my land. I'll deal with that mutt called tomb robbers in my way. That's not of your business; you don't have the right to tell me how to rule a country. Not get out of my eyes. Did I make myself clear?!" The Shinkan looked straight in Atemus eyes. "Atemu..."
Mahadoo couldn't finish his sentence. Suddenly loud voices from outside the room were shouting. "Leave me alone and bring me home. What have I done? Will you put your fingers away from me?!!!" "OUCH!!" Atemu and Mahadoo looked at each other curious. The first voice belonged to a girl, no question. The "Ouch!" had come from a guard. The Pharaoh and the Shinkan stepped out of the room immediately. Their eyes widened in surprise. Two guards were in great trouble holding a girl who struggled with all her might against the strong grip screaming and shrieking. "What the hell is going on here?!", Atemus commanding voice echoed through the halls when he stepped closer. "I'm sorry my Pharaoh", one of the guards said, "we have brought one of the girls from Theben." Atemu smirked. "Well done. Let's...OUCH!", the Pharaoh yelled. He had tried to bent down and have a look on the still struggling girl when suddenly on of her fists met his jaw. Atemus eyes widened in shock and in pain, the others froze in their movements. "She's dead." Mahadoo thought. "He will kill her right now." "How dare you...HOW DARE YOU?!!!!!" the Pharaoh yelled gripping the girls roughly by the shoulders. "Get ready for the hardest punishment!" Two ocean blue eyes with a hint of crimson looked at him angrily. "You know what high and mighty Pharaoh?" , her voice dripped from sarcasm and rage. "I would prefer to die than to be stuck in one building with a cruel bastard that you are!" Atemu just stared at her. Nobody had ever dared to talk to him that way. He lifted her chin with his hand and looked straight into her face. She was pretty indeed. Her skin was tanned and soft in touch, her lips rosy. Her long black curly hair shined silky and fell her upon the shoulders. And her eyes. Big and bright and so blue that even the sky was not of that colour.
"What's your name, girl?" Atemus asked. "Shanna." "And, how old are you?" "Sixteen." "Great great great!" "What is great?" The Pharaoh smirked maliciously that made Shanna shiver. "You see, I have found a punishment for you, even better than execution. You said you would prefer death instead of living with me in one building? Well, you'll be my personal servant from now on. And lucky you, you're going to share a room with me. Isn't that great?"
End of chapter
Thanks to those who have reviewed. I hope, you liked that chappie! Yami is evil, isn't he?
That story will NOT be a slash story, it's Yami and Shanna. But I think it's obvious now^^
For all those who don't know: "Shinkan" is an Egyptian Priest.
So please read and review now!
