Jessejames - Don't worry. I've got Bardock covered. Thanks for asking, though.
Shibby - *FW bows* Hail the muse!! Okay, Una found the name "Naeem" on a site where name meanings are given. the personalityof the name fit the character. Oh, and send the pic to Una.
Una: I have something I'm gonna do with it....
Ente - ^_^ You'll like this chapter! Um, I need that picture, or else I won't put up the sequal....
Greenwood Dancer - "FW" stands for "Female Writer". In her other fics, she is a split personality and there's "Male Writer" also commentating.
Kyoko-san - Thanks for responding to Una's e-mail at least. We'll hope you get your schoolwork done soon.
Cat-Star - I (Una) got your review about 50 or so times on March 3. FF.N has been messing up lately. Ah, well. Its still the greatest organized fanfic site, ne?
digigirl - Partially blame Serafina-chan for the length of time before updating. Also my busted computer. O! You're gonna hate this cliffhanger today!
Serafina - Sorry to add to your workload, but can you still draw that picture for me? You're getting a special honor, and I'm not putting up the sequal until you do!
Strawberrylover - *hugs* Dear, loyal reviewer!
.
Una: I'm late.
Yugi: We know.
Una: What's up?
FW: A game.
Yugi: Two words.
Bardock: Per sentence.
Yami: Bakura's challenge.
Bakura: Pharaoh's weakness.
Yami: -_- Couldn't refuse.
Una: He's here?
Bakura: You bet!
Yugi: For Kyoko.
FW: Glomping time! *glomps Bakura*
Bakura: o_o' Get off...
Bardock: Dumb game!
FW: Is not!
Bardock: Is to!
FW: Is not!!
Bardock: Says who?
Bakura: Duct tape! *snaps out a roll of duct tape*
Bardock: o.O Oh shit!
Una: Go chapter!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chapter 7: Changing of the Guard
During the next couple of years, Atem rarely got a chance to go to the shack with Naeem and Shukura due to his duties as heir to the throne. However, when he did go, he took the shack by storm! His gaming skills surpassed even Shukura's. He did not collect any money from his new companions, but paid Naeem's and his own debts every time.
More time passed. Eventually, Atem came more often. At first it was to learn more games. (With the money from Atem, one of the men bought a complete Senet game[1]). But Atem also liked to enjoy Shukura's company. Other than her rough beauty, the street girl's kindness and gambling skills allured him to no end. But was it right to have such feelings for a commoner with no breeding?
Clouds loomed over the Egyptian sand, cutting off the moon's light and covering the land in a melancholy darkness. The people of Kemet shut their windows, concerned as to the meaning of this unnatural gloom. The sheep refused to graze, and the birds held their tongues. The Nile River, with ran by the palace, flowed slowly, cautiously continuing its journey.
Inside the palace, the high prince stayed awake, staring out of his window at the sky above. He wore only his tunic, not bothering to dress much more. He did not plan to leave his room that day if he could help it.
Atem walked back to the chair beside his bed and sunk into its cushions heavily. "How appropriate the weather is today," he thought aloud.
There was a knock at the door. "Your Highness," called a female voice from the other side. "Are you still in there?"
Shukura opened the doors without waiting for an answer. "Good evening, Prince," she said. "You didn't come to play today, so I got worried. Naeem said you've been moping about for a while." She held up a jug and goblet. "So, I thought you might like some wine and company."
"Thanks," he muttered.
Shukura sat at his feet, poured the wine, and passed it to him. "Judging by the stack of dishes outside, you've been in here a while. Is something wrong?"
Atem took a minute before answering. "I discovered the reason behind my being allowed to play and my father's confinement to his chambers."
"And that is what?"
"He's dying."
Shukura's jaw dropped. "The pharaoh ... is dying?"
Atem nodded then took a drink. "His health has been failing him lately. I figured it was only a slight fever, but ..." Atem stopped, trying not to appear weak by crying. He'd been taught all forms of strong emotions were a sign of weakness, and he refused to cry forever. "He's always been strong enough to pull through. Now I fear something has upset him to this extreme."
"Oh Prince, I'm so sorry! Does Naeem know?"
"No. Not yet." Atem took another drink. "Father wishes to be left alone in his last hours as penance. But for what?" He talked to himself. "What could Father have done? He is a good man! Why can't I be there with him right now?" He set his goblet down and turned away, making another attempt to bottle up his own emotions.
Shukura felt so bad. She sensed his unshed tears as they bled into her heart. She leaned her head against his legs, so he could feel her warmth. "I wish there was something I could do to give you peace."
Atem looked down on her, as if he'd only just noticed her presence. He touched her hair, thinking of all the wonderful times they had spent playing, exploring the palace, and simply being with each other. He also clearly remembered the night he sat by his brother's bed and she, the one who saved Naeem's life, had entered to stay with him.
He stood up. "I'll be right back," he told her. "Stay here. That's an order." He took is cloak and hurried off.
His footsteps made no noise as he rushed through the palace. Not a creature within it stirred. Most prepared for the supper while others, like Atem, worried and prayed for Pharaoh Akunamukanon.
Priestess Isis, the only female official of the court, walked down the corridors to find the younger prince when she came across his brother in his traveling cloak. "High Prince," she said, bowing with reverence. "Where are you off to?"
"Isis, do you know where Lady Kei is now?"
"I believe she said something about speaking to Priest Seto not too long ago. Perhaps she is there. But I wanted to tell-"
"Thank you." Not paying attention to her, Atem ran towards Priest Seto's quarters. He wanted to break his engagement with Kei. 'She's so beautiful,' he thought, 'she will still marry well. We both knew we never wanted to marry each other. I hope she understands.'
He found the door open a crack and peered in.
Kei hugged a small, gray kitten with a gold collar embossed with lilacs. "Seto, he's adorable," she squealed. Her eyes turned into hearts.
Seto groaned. He'd spent a long time planning on the perfect gift, and the symbolism had flown right over her head. `Dumb blonde,' he thought. 'Well, as long as she's happy.'
Atem choked. Was Seto actually smiling?
Kei ran over and hugged Seto. "I know this is wrong," she whispered. "I'm engaged to Atem."
"Forget him," said Seto, holding her close. "Right now, all I care about is you and you alone." He leaned forward, and they began passionately kissing.
At first, Atem felt a surge of anger course through his veins. How DARE Seto, his rival, even touch Kei, when she had been promised to him?! Kei was HIS woman! A soon to be… But then he remembered what he was going to say to Kei. He smiled. 'Maybe it is better this way,' he consented. 'I'll talk to them later.'
.
.
Shukura tapped her fingers on the floor, hoping she hadn't upset the prince. `Where was he off to in such a hurry? Perhaps he's checking on his father. I hope I didn't over-step my bounds by barging into his room like this.'
The door opened and Shukura stood up. "Where have you-" But it wasn't Atem, it was Naeem. "Hey Skuruka," he said, very surprised. "What're you doing here ... in my brother's ... room…?"
"Naeem! I - uh - well - I was just-" She blushed brightly. "I had come to - uh - see your brother, since he didn't come to play games with us."
Naeem nodded, but grinned all the same. "Yeah, whatever! It's not my business anyway! I can leave if he's in the closet or something."
"No! He's coming soon."
Shimon and High Priest Shadi arrived right behind Naeem. "Young Prince, I'm glad you're here," said the tall man. "I need to speak with both you and your brother right away."
"Okay." Shadi scanned Shukura. "Oh, this is our friend, Shukura," said Naeem to Shadi. "Shukura, this is Father's high priest, Shadi."
"I am no longer the high priest unless your brother deems me worthy."
Shukura bowed. "Good evening, sir."
Shadi did not stop his gaze. "What is your purpose here?"
Shimon elbowed Shadi. "Come now! The honored prince in a healthy young man! You make your own assumptions!"
"I came to cheer the High Prince up. He's been upset because-" She covered her mouth.
Naeem's eyebrows rose. "I knew something was wrong! Why can't I know," he whined.
"You will right now anyway," said Shadi, putting a hand on Naeem's shoulder. He kneeled down to the boy's eye-level. "Young Prince, I'm sorry to say this, but your father died a few minutes ago."
Naeem's face paled. "Wh-what? Father? Dead?" He stood rooted to the spot, frozen in shock.
Shimon, the man who helped raise him, pulled the boy into a tight embrace. "Not many knew he was sick. Nothing could be done!"
Shukura's eyes brimmed with tears. "Lord Osiris, please protect him!"
"I'm sure He will," said Shadi. "But more terrible news befalls us. The Pharaoh's last act, perhaps brought on by madness, was to smash the Millennium Puzzle!"
Shimon pushed Naeem gently to arms distance. "We must find your brother to repair it at once! If not, I shudder to imagine what may happen to Kemet!"
A large CRASH shook the entire palace, and Atem's half-empty goblet fell to the floor with a clang. "Something like that, maybe," said Shukura.
The four rushed out of the room and down the halls, searching for the source of the commotion. Courtiers ran screaming from the entrance, stampeding through the halls in a mad attempt to escape. Shadi waved his Mil. Key and the crowd parted, giving the others a chance to see the cause.
The sky, now pitch black, glowed with an evil green aura. The front doors of the palace had been blasted open to reveal an army of large soldier statues armed with spears, swords, and bows and arrows. Floating in the midst of the aura was Minkabh.
.
.
Kei yelled out and glomped onto Seto. "Earthquake!!"
"Don't be foolish! There are no earthquakes that follow a powerful aura!" His eyes narrowed. "Its Minkabh! He's back!"
.
.
Atem had been walking toward his father's chambers when the quake hit. He grabbed onto a wall to steady himself. 'He's here,' he thought darkly.
.
.
"My condolences on Pharaoh Akunamukanon's passing," Minkabh said, his high voice traveling for all ears to hear. "But matters must be looked into on the future ruler of Kemet."
Shadi stepped to the front of the group. "Infidel! What makes you believe you should become the next pharaoh?!"
Minkabh pointed to Shadi and muttered a spell. A ball of green magic shot from his finger tip and knocked the priest off his feet and into Isis and Mahado. "What makes me worthy? Power! Power is the only measure of worth in this world. The old pharaoh had power, oh yes, but he never used it. I gave him the power of the gods themselves within the Puzzle, and he repaid me with banishment! Well, now my time has come at last! Kemet, now and forever, will be mine! No one can stand to my power!!"
The crowd parted once again, this time of their own free will. A lone figure strode down the isle, glowing with a scarlet aura. The High Prince, known to us as Atem, passed through his people, his priests, and his advisors to face Minkabh ahead of them. On his head he wore his father's royal crown with outstretched falcon wings and eye of Horus.
Minkabh smirked. "How cute! A boy playing pretend to be a divine protector of his people? Minkabh laughed harder. "Your pitiful powers are no challenge for me!"
"He's not alone," another voice announced. Seto strode up to stand beside Atem, the Mil. Rod held up to his chest. "The power of the Items combined with that of the gods knows no bounds."
Encouraged by Seto's bold words, the other priests formed an arch on either side of the two, each holding their Items taut.
Minkabh grinned maliciously. "Without the Puzzle, you all are nothing! Shabtis! Attack them!"
Minkabh's stone army drew their arrows to their bows or their spears/swords aloft and charged. Atem set up a magical shield around himself and his company with ease, and the six priests summoned monster spirits to attack.
.
.
Kei joined Naeem and Shukura, who watched the battle from the crowd. "Kei," exclaimed Shukura. "Have they lost their minds!? Taking on an entire army?!"
"They'll be fine," said Kei, partly to herself. "They're lot stronger than they look."
But within five minutes, the battle's tide turned in favor of Minkabh. Each of his shabtis' weapons contained magic potency, and they put up a good fight against the monsters. Worse yet, some made their way past the monsters to attack the priests and the people of the court. Atem tried to spread his shield, but Kei and Naeem knew no one could keep up such strain for long. Seto, the most powerful aside from Atem, activated a shield of his own to help.
"The monsters aren't powerful enough," cried Kei. "Where's Pharaoh? Why isn't he using the Puzzle?"
For all his immature qualities, Naeem still possessed a brilliant strategic mind. He remembered how most did not know of the Pharaoh's death, or of the Puzzle's current state. So how did Minkabh know?
The gears in his mind doubled in speed. If Minkabh somehow caused his father's death, and his madness in smashing the Puzzle, than perhaps he knew the Puzzle was too powerful to fight against. That being the case, the Puzzle would be the deciding factor in the battle!
He turned on his heel and ran at top speed to his father's chambers. 'If I'm right, I need to solve the Puzzle fast! Or else Kemet is doomed!'
Some people of the court called Naeem a coward for deserting the sight of battle, but he ignored them. The two girls, not having a clue what was going on in Naeem's mind, followed anyway.
He arrived before his 'sisters.' Determined NOT to look at his father's body, he slid on the floor and gathered the pieces into a line in front of him. Judging the sizes and patterns quickly, he began assembling it.
Kei nearly crashed into the door in her rush. "Naeem! What're you-" She stopped dead once she'd caught sight of the pharaoh's body. The man's face had aged in his distress, but he appeared to only be sleeping peacefully. His kind eyes had shut so softly!
Shukura, oblivious to Kei's trauma, focused on Naeem. "Oh! I get it! You plan to use the Puzzle to save your brother?"
"No," said Naeem, his voice stern in his concentration. "I plan to have Honored Brother use the Puzzle to save Kemet!"
Kei began to pant, her eyes transfixed on the old Pharaoh. She heard her father's voice say "Kei, sweetie, Daddy, Mommy and the other people aren't going to wake up." Pharaoh Akunamukanon would not wake up from this sleep. He was gone!
Her eyes welled up with tears as her breathing got harder. She could clearly see her father, in place of the old pharaoh, as he lay dying. And there she stood, so foolishly talking about her own problems. "Do you want to marry him?" he asked, drawing his daughter into a hug. Kei shook her head and smiled at her father. "I wanna be a warrior, just like you! I wanna be like the little brother I never got. Would you still be proud of me?"
She didn't love Atem, she loved Seto! Not only that, she had been forced not to become a warrior as she had promised. She'd broken her word to her father! And now the only other man she considered a paternal figure lay dead.
A hand rested on her shoulder. Naeem had finished the Puzzle, minus two pieces, and put a warm hand to comfort her! "Now we both have guardian spirits watching over us," he said, his purple eyes full of love for his friend.
"Naeem…"
Shukura put her hand on Kei's other shoulder. "You wanna impress them?" She grinned. "I know how!"
.
[1] - Senet - A game played back in ancient Egypt. Its was very poplular, but unfortunately no one knows exactly how to play it anymore. The closest known way involves seven pieces each and a special tile board.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hey everyone! I'm Naeem, Prince of Kemet, and Minkabh's worst nightmeare! Okay, maybe not, but I do have a plan to bring him down for good! But its won't be easy to pull off!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Yugi: Short chapter.
Una: I guess...
Yami: Exciting though!
Una: Thank you.
Bardock: *wrapped in duct tape* Melf ee! [Help me!]
FW: No da! *pokes him with a stick*
Yami: What now?
Bakura: *holding gasoline, wood, and matches* Human sacrifice!
Yami/Yugi/Una: Say what?!?
FW: Yeah Bakura!!
Bardock: O.O *still tied up* Skoo yoo!! [Screw you!] *flies away*
Bakura: *disappointed* Not fair!
FW: Review please!
Shibby - *FW bows* Hail the muse!! Okay, Una found the name "Naeem" on a site where name meanings are given. the personalityof the name fit the character. Oh, and send the pic to Una.
Una: I have something I'm gonna do with it....
Ente - ^_^ You'll like this chapter! Um, I need that picture, or else I won't put up the sequal....
Greenwood Dancer - "FW" stands for "Female Writer". In her other fics, she is a split personality and there's "Male Writer" also commentating.
Kyoko-san - Thanks for responding to Una's e-mail at least. We'll hope you get your schoolwork done soon.
Cat-Star - I (Una) got your review about 50 or so times on March 3. FF.N has been messing up lately. Ah, well. Its still the greatest organized fanfic site, ne?
digigirl - Partially blame Serafina-chan for the length of time before updating. Also my busted computer. O! You're gonna hate this cliffhanger today!
Serafina - Sorry to add to your workload, but can you still draw that picture for me? You're getting a special honor, and I'm not putting up the sequal until you do!
Strawberrylover - *hugs* Dear, loyal reviewer!
.
Una: I'm late.
Yugi: We know.
Una: What's up?
FW: A game.
Yugi: Two words.
Bardock: Per sentence.
Yami: Bakura's challenge.
Bakura: Pharaoh's weakness.
Yami: -_- Couldn't refuse.
Una: He's here?
Bakura: You bet!
Yugi: For Kyoko.
FW: Glomping time! *glomps Bakura*
Bakura: o_o' Get off...
Bardock: Dumb game!
FW: Is not!
Bardock: Is to!
FW: Is not!!
Bardock: Says who?
Bakura: Duct tape! *snaps out a roll of duct tape*
Bardock: o.O Oh shit!
Una: Go chapter!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chapter 7: Changing of the Guard
During the next couple of years, Atem rarely got a chance to go to the shack with Naeem and Shukura due to his duties as heir to the throne. However, when he did go, he took the shack by storm! His gaming skills surpassed even Shukura's. He did not collect any money from his new companions, but paid Naeem's and his own debts every time.
More time passed. Eventually, Atem came more often. At first it was to learn more games. (With the money from Atem, one of the men bought a complete Senet game[1]). But Atem also liked to enjoy Shukura's company. Other than her rough beauty, the street girl's kindness and gambling skills allured him to no end. But was it right to have such feelings for a commoner with no breeding?
Clouds loomed over the Egyptian sand, cutting off the moon's light and covering the land in a melancholy darkness. The people of Kemet shut their windows, concerned as to the meaning of this unnatural gloom. The sheep refused to graze, and the birds held their tongues. The Nile River, with ran by the palace, flowed slowly, cautiously continuing its journey.
Inside the palace, the high prince stayed awake, staring out of his window at the sky above. He wore only his tunic, not bothering to dress much more. He did not plan to leave his room that day if he could help it.
Atem walked back to the chair beside his bed and sunk into its cushions heavily. "How appropriate the weather is today," he thought aloud.
There was a knock at the door. "Your Highness," called a female voice from the other side. "Are you still in there?"
Shukura opened the doors without waiting for an answer. "Good evening, Prince," she said. "You didn't come to play today, so I got worried. Naeem said you've been moping about for a while." She held up a jug and goblet. "So, I thought you might like some wine and company."
"Thanks," he muttered.
Shukura sat at his feet, poured the wine, and passed it to him. "Judging by the stack of dishes outside, you've been in here a while. Is something wrong?"
Atem took a minute before answering. "I discovered the reason behind my being allowed to play and my father's confinement to his chambers."
"And that is what?"
"He's dying."
Shukura's jaw dropped. "The pharaoh ... is dying?"
Atem nodded then took a drink. "His health has been failing him lately. I figured it was only a slight fever, but ..." Atem stopped, trying not to appear weak by crying. He'd been taught all forms of strong emotions were a sign of weakness, and he refused to cry forever. "He's always been strong enough to pull through. Now I fear something has upset him to this extreme."
"Oh Prince, I'm so sorry! Does Naeem know?"
"No. Not yet." Atem took another drink. "Father wishes to be left alone in his last hours as penance. But for what?" He talked to himself. "What could Father have done? He is a good man! Why can't I be there with him right now?" He set his goblet down and turned away, making another attempt to bottle up his own emotions.
Shukura felt so bad. She sensed his unshed tears as they bled into her heart. She leaned her head against his legs, so he could feel her warmth. "I wish there was something I could do to give you peace."
Atem looked down on her, as if he'd only just noticed her presence. He touched her hair, thinking of all the wonderful times they had spent playing, exploring the palace, and simply being with each other. He also clearly remembered the night he sat by his brother's bed and she, the one who saved Naeem's life, had entered to stay with him.
He stood up. "I'll be right back," he told her. "Stay here. That's an order." He took is cloak and hurried off.
His footsteps made no noise as he rushed through the palace. Not a creature within it stirred. Most prepared for the supper while others, like Atem, worried and prayed for Pharaoh Akunamukanon.
Priestess Isis, the only female official of the court, walked down the corridors to find the younger prince when she came across his brother in his traveling cloak. "High Prince," she said, bowing with reverence. "Where are you off to?"
"Isis, do you know where Lady Kei is now?"
"I believe she said something about speaking to Priest Seto not too long ago. Perhaps she is there. But I wanted to tell-"
"Thank you." Not paying attention to her, Atem ran towards Priest Seto's quarters. He wanted to break his engagement with Kei. 'She's so beautiful,' he thought, 'she will still marry well. We both knew we never wanted to marry each other. I hope she understands.'
He found the door open a crack and peered in.
Kei hugged a small, gray kitten with a gold collar embossed with lilacs. "Seto, he's adorable," she squealed. Her eyes turned into hearts.
Seto groaned. He'd spent a long time planning on the perfect gift, and the symbolism had flown right over her head. `Dumb blonde,' he thought. 'Well, as long as she's happy.'
Atem choked. Was Seto actually smiling?
Kei ran over and hugged Seto. "I know this is wrong," she whispered. "I'm engaged to Atem."
"Forget him," said Seto, holding her close. "Right now, all I care about is you and you alone." He leaned forward, and they began passionately kissing.
At first, Atem felt a surge of anger course through his veins. How DARE Seto, his rival, even touch Kei, when she had been promised to him?! Kei was HIS woman! A soon to be… But then he remembered what he was going to say to Kei. He smiled. 'Maybe it is better this way,' he consented. 'I'll talk to them later.'
.
.
Shukura tapped her fingers on the floor, hoping she hadn't upset the prince. `Where was he off to in such a hurry? Perhaps he's checking on his father. I hope I didn't over-step my bounds by barging into his room like this.'
The door opened and Shukura stood up. "Where have you-" But it wasn't Atem, it was Naeem. "Hey Skuruka," he said, very surprised. "What're you doing here ... in my brother's ... room…?"
"Naeem! I - uh - well - I was just-" She blushed brightly. "I had come to - uh - see your brother, since he didn't come to play games with us."
Naeem nodded, but grinned all the same. "Yeah, whatever! It's not my business anyway! I can leave if he's in the closet or something."
"No! He's coming soon."
Shimon and High Priest Shadi arrived right behind Naeem. "Young Prince, I'm glad you're here," said the tall man. "I need to speak with both you and your brother right away."
"Okay." Shadi scanned Shukura. "Oh, this is our friend, Shukura," said Naeem to Shadi. "Shukura, this is Father's high priest, Shadi."
"I am no longer the high priest unless your brother deems me worthy."
Shukura bowed. "Good evening, sir."
Shadi did not stop his gaze. "What is your purpose here?"
Shimon elbowed Shadi. "Come now! The honored prince in a healthy young man! You make your own assumptions!"
"I came to cheer the High Prince up. He's been upset because-" She covered her mouth.
Naeem's eyebrows rose. "I knew something was wrong! Why can't I know," he whined.
"You will right now anyway," said Shadi, putting a hand on Naeem's shoulder. He kneeled down to the boy's eye-level. "Young Prince, I'm sorry to say this, but your father died a few minutes ago."
Naeem's face paled. "Wh-what? Father? Dead?" He stood rooted to the spot, frozen in shock.
Shimon, the man who helped raise him, pulled the boy into a tight embrace. "Not many knew he was sick. Nothing could be done!"
Shukura's eyes brimmed with tears. "Lord Osiris, please protect him!"
"I'm sure He will," said Shadi. "But more terrible news befalls us. The Pharaoh's last act, perhaps brought on by madness, was to smash the Millennium Puzzle!"
Shimon pushed Naeem gently to arms distance. "We must find your brother to repair it at once! If not, I shudder to imagine what may happen to Kemet!"
A large CRASH shook the entire palace, and Atem's half-empty goblet fell to the floor with a clang. "Something like that, maybe," said Shukura.
The four rushed out of the room and down the halls, searching for the source of the commotion. Courtiers ran screaming from the entrance, stampeding through the halls in a mad attempt to escape. Shadi waved his Mil. Key and the crowd parted, giving the others a chance to see the cause.
The sky, now pitch black, glowed with an evil green aura. The front doors of the palace had been blasted open to reveal an army of large soldier statues armed with spears, swords, and bows and arrows. Floating in the midst of the aura was Minkabh.
.
.
Kei yelled out and glomped onto Seto. "Earthquake!!"
"Don't be foolish! There are no earthquakes that follow a powerful aura!" His eyes narrowed. "Its Minkabh! He's back!"
.
.
Atem had been walking toward his father's chambers when the quake hit. He grabbed onto a wall to steady himself. 'He's here,' he thought darkly.
.
.
"My condolences on Pharaoh Akunamukanon's passing," Minkabh said, his high voice traveling for all ears to hear. "But matters must be looked into on the future ruler of Kemet."
Shadi stepped to the front of the group. "Infidel! What makes you believe you should become the next pharaoh?!"
Minkabh pointed to Shadi and muttered a spell. A ball of green magic shot from his finger tip and knocked the priest off his feet and into Isis and Mahado. "What makes me worthy? Power! Power is the only measure of worth in this world. The old pharaoh had power, oh yes, but he never used it. I gave him the power of the gods themselves within the Puzzle, and he repaid me with banishment! Well, now my time has come at last! Kemet, now and forever, will be mine! No one can stand to my power!!"
The crowd parted once again, this time of their own free will. A lone figure strode down the isle, glowing with a scarlet aura. The High Prince, known to us as Atem, passed through his people, his priests, and his advisors to face Minkabh ahead of them. On his head he wore his father's royal crown with outstretched falcon wings and eye of Horus.
Minkabh smirked. "How cute! A boy playing pretend to be a divine protector of his people? Minkabh laughed harder. "Your pitiful powers are no challenge for me!"
"He's not alone," another voice announced. Seto strode up to stand beside Atem, the Mil. Rod held up to his chest. "The power of the Items combined with that of the gods knows no bounds."
Encouraged by Seto's bold words, the other priests formed an arch on either side of the two, each holding their Items taut.
Minkabh grinned maliciously. "Without the Puzzle, you all are nothing! Shabtis! Attack them!"
Minkabh's stone army drew their arrows to their bows or their spears/swords aloft and charged. Atem set up a magical shield around himself and his company with ease, and the six priests summoned monster spirits to attack.
.
.
Kei joined Naeem and Shukura, who watched the battle from the crowd. "Kei," exclaimed Shukura. "Have they lost their minds!? Taking on an entire army?!"
"They'll be fine," said Kei, partly to herself. "They're lot stronger than they look."
But within five minutes, the battle's tide turned in favor of Minkabh. Each of his shabtis' weapons contained magic potency, and they put up a good fight against the monsters. Worse yet, some made their way past the monsters to attack the priests and the people of the court. Atem tried to spread his shield, but Kei and Naeem knew no one could keep up such strain for long. Seto, the most powerful aside from Atem, activated a shield of his own to help.
"The monsters aren't powerful enough," cried Kei. "Where's Pharaoh? Why isn't he using the Puzzle?"
For all his immature qualities, Naeem still possessed a brilliant strategic mind. He remembered how most did not know of the Pharaoh's death, or of the Puzzle's current state. So how did Minkabh know?
The gears in his mind doubled in speed. If Minkabh somehow caused his father's death, and his madness in smashing the Puzzle, than perhaps he knew the Puzzle was too powerful to fight against. That being the case, the Puzzle would be the deciding factor in the battle!
He turned on his heel and ran at top speed to his father's chambers. 'If I'm right, I need to solve the Puzzle fast! Or else Kemet is doomed!'
Some people of the court called Naeem a coward for deserting the sight of battle, but he ignored them. The two girls, not having a clue what was going on in Naeem's mind, followed anyway.
He arrived before his 'sisters.' Determined NOT to look at his father's body, he slid on the floor and gathered the pieces into a line in front of him. Judging the sizes and patterns quickly, he began assembling it.
Kei nearly crashed into the door in her rush. "Naeem! What're you-" She stopped dead once she'd caught sight of the pharaoh's body. The man's face had aged in his distress, but he appeared to only be sleeping peacefully. His kind eyes had shut so softly!
Shukura, oblivious to Kei's trauma, focused on Naeem. "Oh! I get it! You plan to use the Puzzle to save your brother?"
"No," said Naeem, his voice stern in his concentration. "I plan to have Honored Brother use the Puzzle to save Kemet!"
Kei began to pant, her eyes transfixed on the old Pharaoh. She heard her father's voice say "Kei, sweetie, Daddy, Mommy and the other people aren't going to wake up." Pharaoh Akunamukanon would not wake up from this sleep. He was gone!
Her eyes welled up with tears as her breathing got harder. She could clearly see her father, in place of the old pharaoh, as he lay dying. And there she stood, so foolishly talking about her own problems. "Do you want to marry him?" he asked, drawing his daughter into a hug. Kei shook her head and smiled at her father. "I wanna be a warrior, just like you! I wanna be like the little brother I never got. Would you still be proud of me?"
She didn't love Atem, she loved Seto! Not only that, she had been forced not to become a warrior as she had promised. She'd broken her word to her father! And now the only other man she considered a paternal figure lay dead.
A hand rested on her shoulder. Naeem had finished the Puzzle, minus two pieces, and put a warm hand to comfort her! "Now we both have guardian spirits watching over us," he said, his purple eyes full of love for his friend.
"Naeem…"
Shukura put her hand on Kei's other shoulder. "You wanna impress them?" She grinned. "I know how!"
.
[1] - Senet - A game played back in ancient Egypt. Its was very poplular, but unfortunately no one knows exactly how to play it anymore. The closest known way involves seven pieces each and a special tile board.
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Hey everyone! I'm Naeem, Prince of Kemet, and Minkabh's worst nightmeare! Okay, maybe not, but I do have a plan to bring him down for good! But its won't be easy to pull off!
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Yugi: Short chapter.
Una: I guess...
Yami: Exciting though!
Una: Thank you.
Bardock: *wrapped in duct tape* Melf ee! [Help me!]
FW: No da! *pokes him with a stick*
Yami: What now?
Bakura: *holding gasoline, wood, and matches* Human sacrifice!
Yami/Yugi/Una: Say what?!?
FW: Yeah Bakura!!
Bardock: O.O *still tied up* Skoo yoo!! [Screw you!] *flies away*
Bakura: *disappointed* Not fair!
FW: Review please!