Disclaimer: Yu-Gi-Oh isn't mine. If it was, I'd be as rich as Seto Kaiba himself. (Well, probably not, but you get the idea…) And this fic is beta-read by Pamster. Thanks a lot to her for checking it and her advice.

Author's Note: Djehuty is also known as Thoth. Besides being known for magic, he was a god of the moon. The rating will stay PG – 13, and if I write anything that has a higher rating I will let you know in the author's note, so then you can email me and request the unedited chapter. Mainly, it will be stuff about their maturing relationship. Comments will come in the next chapter, but thanks for all your kind reviews.

Summary: High Priest Set confronts Atemu only to end up angrier then when he storms in to the Royal Audience chamber where the Royal Court was in session without him. The situation gets out of control and Neith fears for the safety of her lover.

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Chapter 16: A Schism In The Palace

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"Atemu, you impertinent child! Show yourself this instant!"

The heavy doors of the audience chamber were blasted off their hinges, the attention of those inside suddenly aroused as the metal doors clattered to the floor. Their minds were focused on the irate figure that was standing between the ruins of the doors, his arms flung open and the Sennen Rod clutched in his right hand. Behind him stood several thunderstruck guards as well as the smaller form of the Priestess of Bast.

Several of the man's associates stumbled backwards. They had never seen him like this before. The tall man's face bore a glare that could turn even the three gods themselves into stone.

Mahaado took a step forwards, his outrage at Set's entrance clearly visible.

"What is the meaning of this? Explain yourself! How dare you use such language when addressing our Per A'a!"

"Shut your mouth!" he snapped angrily.

The Sennen Rod was grasped even tighter in his hand as he strode forwards, passing the shocked figures of Shadah, Isis and Akunadin on his left-hand side. How could the Pharaoh so blatantly disrespect him? There was to be a tournament, one that he had not been invited to. That was not what bothered him. What he hated was the underhanded way he had been shunted aside.

Nobody has the right to treat me like that! Nobody! He raged inside, his left fist curling into a ball as he stood before the object of his hatred.

He then saw Subira standing to Atemu's left, her face a picture of shock. Growling, he swirled to his right and saw Karim watching him, behind whom was another three priestesses. The young one with black hair caught his eye, and this enflamed him even more.

"So, our Per A'a invites his whore and a diseased rat before thinking of me? Now you show me my true worth to you," he seethed, his fist clenching and unclenching. "A mere woman means more to you than my years of faithful service? A whore means more than I?"

"Apologise at once! How can you speak of my betrothed in such a manner? You should be ashamed of yourself!"

He glared hatefully at the now-standing boy and cocked his head.

"Apologise? I'm the one who had been wronged."

"You ask me for an apology?" Atemu looked surprised as he clutched even tighter on the Sennen Rod, threatening to draw his own blood. "After what you've just done here?"

"I'm not asking for it; I'm demanding it!"

Akunadin watched him intently as he took a step closer towards the throne, his body bristling with charged magical energy. How could this boy presume to judge him? Where was his power? He had not seen any examples of it. To think that a night of unbridled ecstasy would be followed by a morning of pain… His mentor opened his mouth to speak, but he began first, interrupting him.

"Please, let me finish."

I will get this off my chest, one way or the other.

"Tell me the truth, Per A'a. Have you decided to hold a tournament and deliberately kept me uninformed? And if so, why?"

"I shall not answer until you apologise!"

He took another step closer to the young boy and batted the Sennen Rod against his left hand. He had to admit the temptation was there to use the Sennen Rod and find out. A foundation of his power, it could bring anyone under his will, even Atemu himself. He could also imprint his memories into it, in case anything happened. It was like he would be leaving a part of himself inside.

Yes… to see the look on his face would be worth it.

"So you cannot answer me? Very well. I guess I'll have to drag it out of you myself."

He straightened himself and raised his left arm and the Sennen Rod, only for Akunadin to bark out a warning.

"Per A'a! Get out of the way!"

"What the? Set! What are you doing?"

"I'm just getting what I deserve," he replied coldly, a wicked smirk on his face. "Now stay still. This won't hurt a bit…"

Suddenly, he was blasted backwards by an invisible force. He could feel himself flying backwards through the air until he hit his head on the floor and was knocked unconscious. He was unaware of anything as Neith ran into the room, his hand still gripping tightly on the Sennen Rod.

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Gods, it hurts…

Set moaned as he raised a hand to his forehead, crisp sheets sliding across his bare skin as he shifted his legs. At the same time as he opened his eyes he realised he was back in his room. At least, he thought it was his room. Everything was so cloudy that he could not tell at all. At least he knew who he was. Why was he here, anyway?

"Set, are you all right? I've been so worried!"

He raised his head in the direction of the relieved voice: a woman's. Why did she sound so familiar?

It's all so cloudy. I can't even remember why I'm here. Wait a minute; I know you…

"I… Neith, is that you?" He looked about his room, sighing weakly as he felt himself being hugged by the young woman who was at his bedside. "This is… What am I doing here? Why can't I remember? It's all blurred…"

That was when he felt her pull back, the warm feeling being replaced by a cold compress being held to his forehead. He knew that he could trust her. It was like they were… That was it! At least he could remember this one thing. She was his; at least he had this one person to rely on.

"It's… complicated."

She was looking away from him knowingly. Something was going on.

"What's happened? Why am I here?" He shifted in the bed, noticing that the Sennen Rod lay by him on a bedside table. "Tell me!"

"Set, you're sick! Please don't move!"

She was too late. His legs were already hanging over the side of the bed and he was determined to get to the bottom of this. It was strange; he felt so exhausted. He felt listless compared to the usual desire he felt towards this woman and hated it. He wanted those old feelings back.

"Please, just lie down. You've banged your head; you'll only injure yourself. I don't want that to happen." He allowed her to tuck him back into bed, a frown on his face. "You'll have plenty of time to find out."

He quietly looked at the brunette as she perched next to him on the bed. His eyes slid from her face to her chest, hidden beneath the folds of her dress. So tempting, even in this state, but he just did not have the energy.

"Find out what? Just tell me, woman. I'll find out eventually," he growled, now gazing at the far wall, which was inscribed with details he could not perceive.

"… You were angry, Set. You attacked Atemu; you attacked Per A'a."

I…

"I attacked him? Why can't I remember? It's so strange; Neith, can't you help me?" He closed his eyes, feeling sleepy, but was immediately awakened by a sharp slap to the face. "Ow! What was that for?"

"I'm sorry, but I can't let you fall asleep. You banged your head." She kissed him on the forehead and then rose from the bed, just as a knock echoed on the door. "The healer's here, he'll look after you. I'm sorry, but I have to go. They want a report on your welfare."

"… Of course. Thank you, Neith, for taking the time to look after me. It's appreciated and won't be forgotten."

His hand rose to clasp her face, slipping away when she moved out of reach and walked over to the door, having words with the healer before she disappeared. He leaned back and closed his eyes in contemplation. It hurt him to lie to her like that, his memory was fine, but it had to be done.

She deserves not to get involved.

He could clearly remember being blown back by a burst of energy, after which he had woken up here. Perhaps he should not have confronted Atemu in such a manner, but he knew that his reasons were just. His pride had been dented and his honour dashed against the ground by a mere boy. Per A'a would have deserved what would have happened to him.

I was right. I didn't deserve such treatment. Why was I even treated like I was? Have I not been faithful? He coughed, feeling a sharp pain in his head as he raised a hand to his mouth, the healer running over to his bed. Why do I feel so drowsy?

At least she was looking out for him, but this highlighted the fact that he had to look out for himself from now on. Never would he flee from a battle. Per A'a wanted war, so he would have to learn the hard way that no one challenged him and survived.

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Later, Neith returned to the room, her arms laden with a bowl of dates. As she stood outside she contemplated the words she had received. The old priest Shimon had been worried about Set's state of mind and had asked her what she thought had brought it on. She had mumbled something about slighted feelings and now found herself before her lover's room once more. Two guards watched over the entrance and she thought about this.

Atemu had sent two of his prized soldiers to guard the person inside. Perhaps the young Per A'a was worried equally about keeping him in as keeping others out...

It was not fair.

A soul like his cannot be cooped up. It will die.

She nodded to the two guards, noticing that their eyes seemed oddly blank. That was the first thing that worried her. The second was that she could feel shivers down the back of her spine.

"Set? Are you feeling any better? I've brought you something to eat; it's your favourite." She gently pushed open the door and gazed blankly around the room; he was nowhere to be seen. "Where are you? Are you outside?"

Walking over to the balcony, she peered down at the palace gardens, which were illuminated by Djehuty's pale light, and then stepped back inside. He was nowhere to be found. Where could he have gone? He was not permitted to leave his room and she worried for his health.

"Set, what have you done?"

It had been a mistake for them to leave the Sennen Rod in his possession, but it had been the only option available. It only acknowledged Set as its true owner and had burnt so much when Akunadin had attempted to pry it from Set's fingers that he had screamed in pain and said that they should let it remain with its rightful holder.

She did not know where he could have gone. Now, she would have to search the entire palace from top to bottom and hope that she found him first. She could see that the doors were ajar and that they seemed to have caved in on themselves. The wood was buckled and twisted and magical energy lingered in the air; he must have used the Sennen Rod on the guards stationed outside after blasting apart the lock on the door.

Perhaps Isis has seen something. It's her entire fault. If she had not told me about that vision than perhaps he wouldn't be so worked up. Yes, it's her fault.

Her eyes narrowed as she marched swiftly out of Set's room, heading towards the other end of the palace where the Priestess of the Tauk resided.

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"Isis? Isis! I know you're in there! Open this door!"

Once she had arrived at Isis's room she had banged on the door, demanding entry, and as she went to bang it for yet another time it suddenly opened. Isis stood before her with a sorrowful look on her face. It was almost as if she had been expecting her arrival… Pushing her aside, she strode into the room, ignoring her protestations and swirled around, her face angry.

"Have you told anyone? How could you!"

Isis solemnly shook her head.

"No. I knew you were coming but have not done so. So far, it's a private matter between the two of you. But one of these days I shall have to tell Atemu. He has a right to know, but I'm trying to consider your feelings as well. Please understand that."

She seethed angrily.

"I know! I know!" She raised a hand to her forehead and gritted her teeth. "I've looked for him everywhere and I can't find him. He's vanished from his room and I was wondering if you've seen anything."

"No, I'm sorry." She sighed as Isis shook her head and looked down at her Item. "The Tauk has been strangely unresponsive as of late. I'm afraid that I know nothing. The only thing it's shown me is your arrival."

"Well, you're no help at all. I shouldn't have bothered. But you and the others kept him in the dark; you know what he's like."

"I…"

She walked back towards the door and wrenched it open, knowing that Isis's eyes were on her back. There was a heavy feeling of dread in her heart and she feared the worst.

"I'm worried for him," she admitted, her hand paused on the door. "If anything happens to him I shall never forgive you; all of you."

Departing, she worriedly wrung her hands as she breezed through the corridors. He had gone, leaving her alone. After all he had said last night… she knew he was right, and would fight to the death for the man she loved.

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Meanwhile, after breaking out of the confinement of his room, Set was walking through the deserted city in the dead of night, a dark air about him. As his feet carried him forwards he found himself seething with rage, his head still feeling somewhat groggy. The brat had dared to lock him up as if he were a dangerous beast that had attacked its master…

Clenching his fists so hard his knuckles turned white, he boiled angrily as he gritted his teeth.

How dare he! Who does he think he is? He's nothing but a prepubescent brat who needs a good spanking! I was being trained to run this country whilst he was still a newborn child!

He blew through the centre of the empty marketplace, stopping for a moment to get his bearings. He then turned left and headed towards the domain of the upper class. Atemu would regret treating him like this. He was loyal to the throne, make no mistake, but the boy needed to be taught a lesson. One day, he would quieten down, once his work had been done. His Neith could help him with that; he wouldn't mind the stability. Especially once they had that child. He hated the little maggots that were children, but any son of his would be perfect.

Perhaps I ought to start thinking about the future. She'll have to go back to Per-Bast soon and I'll be left alone, he thought, now standing in the richly built area where the aristocracy lived. And I can't let that happen; she has to stay.

His inner reasoning made sense. He had finally found someone to fill the deep emptiness he felt in his heart. She had been there for him when he had awoken; tending to him like a worried wife whose husband had been injured.

Perhaps that's the way. A contract would make it harder for her to get away, not that I know why she would want to do so. I guess I have no choice. Maybe it can be done, in the future, once I have this business cleared up.

He came to a stop and walked up to a particular house, in which lived a highly eminent noble, one who had been pleased with young Atemu's rise to power. He knocked on the door and was answered by a female servant. She was confused by his arrival on her master's doorstep so late, but fetched her master for him anyway. The slightly plump man, whose hair was now greying, soon welcomed him, and he could not hide the smirk on his face as he raised the Sennen Rod.

He had found his first convert.

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