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, and the fact that she added in little bits of text here and there. and for her help with bouncing ideas especially.

Author's Note: This chapter is leading up to a big build up in the next chapter, but I won't say what it is. Also, you're in for a treat. There's a bit of Akunadin's perspective in here, so enjoy.

Summary: Set is brought before Atemu to be judged for his recent actions. Akunadin speaks to Atemu on Set's behalf and succeeds in changing the mood of the hearing changes to focus on Set's relationship with Neith. But will the High Priest let things lie as they are or will he continue his dark plans?

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Chapter 18: Culmination

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She rested a hand on the shoulder of the man before her, feeling him tense beneath her grip. As she came up behind him she silently rested her head on his other shoulder. Soon this late afternoon, Set would have to face his fate. She would not be allowed to attend his hearing, but she could at least let him know what she thought of him. And the way that they felt about each other would overcome all obstacles.

Nothing shall defeat us, she thought, pulling herself closer to the taller man and wrapping an arm around his right side. Stay with me, my love.

"Do not worry yourself, lotus. This is merely an obstacle in my path. I shall remove it soon enough."

She continued to remain close to him, the long fingers of his left hand interlinking with the one she had placed on his shoulder. As he murmured contentedly she caught sight of the upturned lips on his face and smiled herself. Now that they were public knowledge she felt more comfortable, though she felt apprehensive about what her friends and fellow priests thought. She had not even told her mother…

Worryingly running her right hand up and down his arm, she sighed.

"Are you all right?"

That was when she noticed that he had pulled away, his hands now clasping her forearms, a quietly concerned look on his face. She smiled weakly as he embraced her, soothingly stroking her hair.

"Just try to relax. They all know by now. We have nothing to hide, nor should we have to." She saw him looking down at her, his voice soft and relaxing as he stopped stroking her hair and held her close. "So tell me; what ails you?"

"I just want to tell my mother before anyone else does."

"I'm sure our dear Per A'a wouldn't deny you of the privilege. But still, rumour flies fast on black wings. Perhaps you can write to her and I'll have someone take it there personally. I would be glad to help you with that and the writing, once I've sorted today's mess out."

She let him hold her close, his arms comfortingly wrapping around her back. The tall, thin Priest seemed oddly comfortable as his hands pressed her close to him. He was a man who had managed to capture her heart, and it felt glorious.

"I'm sorry. Here I am, going on about my problems, when you're facing something much worse."

"You're so thoughtful, lotus." He looked down at her with a smile, his left hand rising to the back of her neck. "After that lecture I had to stomach from that Mahaa on our way here I thought that perhaps you would have second thoughts – "

"Never."

She looked up at him with serious eyes and quietly observed. The man she loved was unreadable, but she knew that he had to be fuming in regards to Mahaado. To be caught by one's political rival had to be grating his nerves. She then held him close, wrapping her arms around him as one of Atemu's guards approached them.

"Hem Ntjr Tepey, Per A'a wishes to see you now."

--

Akunadin gazed silently at the scene before him, and as he watched, the thought of his son and his lady, that Neith, came to mind. It was nice to see that he was growing up and engaging in more - ah - manly activities, but he wished that he had a right to be closer than he was, to be a father rather than a mentor. But that choice had been made a long time ago. It was true; one reaped what they sowed. He continued to watch from the sidelines, briefly turning to face Per A'a on his throne as he addressed all his priests, himself included, though bitterly it had to be said.

That throne should be my son's, not yours…

"Who would have thought that he's found someone?" the young boy questioned. "Do you think that might be why he acted the way he did?"

He spoke quickly, interrupting whatever it was Mahaado had wanted to say.

"I would say so, and I know him better than anyone," he mused quietly, reading Mahaado's thoughts about his treacherous son with his Sennen Eye. If only he knew the truth… "People can be driven to do foolish things, and all in the name of love. He hasn't been in love before. He's always dismissed it, but now that he finds himself in love he's confused and doesn't know how to react."

He then rested his hands beneath his chin, contemplating his own words, and he felt himself growing more concerned for his son. If he were to get anywhere at all in life, he would have to make sure that Set did the right thing.

If he has a woman, then he can produce an heir. And then he shall have a viable right to be the new Per A'a.

"Perhaps by keeping the priestess Neith here, he may be persuaded to calm down. By your blessing their relationship maybe he won't see you as much of a threat," he commented quietly, stroking his beard. "What do you think?"

He then looked up at Atemu; he already knowing what the boy's answer would be before he even nodded.

"Yes! That's an excellent idea!"

Of course it is.

"Well, we shall know soon enough. I have sent one of my guards to escort him here..."

--

Set was soon in the audience chamber, though what he now had to do was not to his liking…

"Set! Do you even understand the consequences of your actions? Per A'a is being gracious in forgiving you. Perhaps this shall be remembered by you in the future, though I seriously doubt it."

He growled as he bowed his head respectfully, shrugging off Mahaado's comment, though the urge to bark back a cutting reply was almost overwhelming. All he had to do was remain respectfully on his knees and he would come through this without a scratch. For some reason, they saw his motives to be different from what they actually were. But he hated the thought of being reduced to such a level. The dear Per A'a would have to suffer for inflicting upon him such a humiliation.

"But as I was saying, I do understand why you acted the way you did. Like Akunadin said, we all do crazy things when we're in love, and I feel that if I were to bless the two of you then you might get things started off on the right foot. So I believe congratulations are in order," he heard Atemu say, the full meaning of his words only just reaching his mind.

He sharply looked across at Akunadin, his mentor, who must have stuck up for him once again. Just how many times was he going to be rescued by this man? If he had to pay him for every time he had been helped, then his mentor would be richer now than he already was. But still, he was amazed at Atemu's naivety.

You think that I did this because of love? He smiled inwardly to himself. Oh what a foolish little boy you are!

He could sense his eyes of the entire court watching him as he bowed respectfully.

You're going to pay for making me do this…

"Yes, my lord. I am truly sorry…"

He immediately fell quiet, hearing Neith call out his name. What was she doing here? This was one position he did not want her to see him in. it was degrading and he felt ashamed that she had saw him at all! He glared at her angrily over his shoulder, seeing the look of abject fear and apology written on her face.

--

Neith, meanwhile, had been running through the corridors in the Royal Palace, desperately seeking out where Set had gone. The guard who had came for him had escorted him downstairs to the audience chamber, and as she sprinted she shook her head and gritted her teeth at her mistake in remaining behind. Even if it had been an order, she could not leave him. She stopped as Akunadin appeared from behind a huge column. He looked at her and smiled.

"Are you worried about Set, my dear?"

She had no time to talk and felt annoyed by the priest's question. Did he not realise how deeply she cared about Set? Of course she was worried. She bowed her head before answering the ageing priest.

"Yes I am indeed." Her eyes darted up to look at him; his smile sent shivers down her spine.

"Fear not Neith. I have already taken action to ensure that Set's position here is not in jeopardy. Because Mahaado found you two together everyone now knows about your true relationship with Set. I took it upon myself to craft a clever redirection of their attention from his actions." Akunadin's thin lips curved into a sneer as he went on. "I told the Per A'a that Set acted rashly because of being in love with you. It seemed to appease him and he has agreed to give his blessing to your union and put aside Set's actions from a few days ago."

Neith could hardly believe her ears. If that was what they all thought then she had to get to Set now to stand beside him as he faced the Per A'a. Anything less was unacceptable.

"Thank you Lord Akunadin. I am very grateful you spoke on Set's behalf."

"Of course my dear. He is my most talented student after all. Please excuse me, I slipped away to find you and I must return before I am missed. Fear not, Set will get through this ordeal unscathed."

Neith bowed and thanked Akunadin again. She waited until he was no longer in sight before starting back towards the audience chamber. He should not have to face it by himself.

She let out a cry of joy as she saw that she was nearing the audience chamber in the distance, seeing the line of guards who stood watch over the entrance. They were soon bypassed and she ran into the audience chamber, loudly calling out his name. She then looked around at the priests' shocked faces, her eyes falling to the floor; Set was on his knees, prostrating himself for forgiveness in front of the man he had called his enemy.

"Yes, my lord. I am truly sorry…"

Her mouth was wide open as he immediately fell silent.

"What are you doing here?" he asked her frigidly, ice blue eyes glaring at her from over his shoulder.

Mahaado was watching her as she bowed to Atemu and then walked over to Set, who was still gazing at her. It was quite a shock seeing him like this, but she knew that he would do so if he had no other choice. In a way, it showed that he truly valued his relationship with her if he was willing to get on the floor and ask for the forgiveness of a man he had absolutely no respect for. He had wanted to protect her and in doing this he was showing just how much he cared, even if he could not put it into words.

"I just – I just didn't want to leave you on your own. It isn't fair!" she told him, looking down at him on the floor. "If you did what you did because of love than it is as much my fault as it is yours."

His cold expression turned into one of confusion, which was soon replaced by a smile as Akunadin slinked back into the hall unnoticed.

"I know you care, but there is no need to bring this upon yourself. It is better if you stay out of this."

"I must refuse you this once. I'm so sorry, but there are things that you cannot fight alone and should not have to." He looked at her strangely as she smiled back, resting a hand of his shoulder before looking at the young Pharaoh. "Per A'a. I know he has done wrong, but can't you find it in your heart to forgive him. He is sorry."

At least I think he is. Sometimes I can't even tell...

She cast her eyes down at the floor, feeling sad as she heard Atemu's voice.

"He did do something wrong, even though he did it for the noblest of reasons. That much cannot be denied," he remarked, seemingly older and more mature than his years would suggest.

The assembled court had fallen silent ever since her arrival; they were now watching her with expression ranging from scepticism and fascination to Akunadin's own expressionless scheming. She derisively gazed up at the young boy, her left hand clenching into a fist. What an annoying brat! She could see why Set had quickly lost his normally clam façade if this was what he was confronted with day after day. She stepped past Set, who quickly rose from the floor and brushed himself off as she angrily challenged that idea.

"Oh, and deliberately keeping someone in the dark isn't?" she asked, her tone angry and her voice loud. "At least he was honest enough to be open in his desire for an answer!"

"Be silent! You know nothing, and you were found in his bed! Show some respect and hold your tongue, priestess!" Mahaado's tone of voice was unbearably sarcastic when he addressed her as priestess.

She swirled around and glared at Mahaado.

"Respect? You dare talk about respect? He deserved that much from you but you gave him nothing!"

Mahaado was about to respond and she patently returned his glare as Set motioned for her to be quiet, Atemu doing the same for his loyal priest.

"Set, just answer me one thing. What are your intentions towards her?" Akunadin asked his student. She looked at him, noticing the thoughtful expression on the old priest's face. "Is she something to satisfy your boyish compulsions or is she something more? I believe it would help Per A'a's judgement if he were to know the way you truly feel."

"I… just know that she makes me feel complete. I can't describe it anymore than that…"

"Well then, if that's the way you feel, I'm happy for you," Atemu announced, as she felt herself calming down. "I just hope that you won't try anything like that again. Believe me, it would hurt me deeply if I had to punish someone I considered a friend. In any case, you have my blessing."

Set gazed at him wide-eyed.

"You would do that? For us?" he enquired.

Perhaps I've misjudged you after all… she thought, not noticing the dark look behind Set's eyes.

--

A few moments later, Set continued to watch Neith admiringly as she bowed politely and headed out of the hall, accompanied by Isis, who was whispering something to her. The rest of the priests then filed out after them and he realised that he could feel his heart breathing rhythmically within his chest, as it did whenever the two of them were close. He could feel his temperature rising, and he felt so warm with the thought of her. She was someone who tried not to judge him, someone who saw him for the person he was instead of looking merely at the surface. He had found someone who loved him and he would hold onto that loyalty.

"So that's the woman who made you act the way you did? The way she fought for you… She is beautiful, I grant you that. Tell me, do you love her? Are you betrothed?"

He felt annoyed as the young ruler addressed him, walking up to his side. He was still so young, yet he had all this power but did not know what to do with it. But soon he would find himself stripped of all that power, if he did not know how to defend himself properly from enemies, be they from outside… or within.

A fake smile appeared on his face, and he bowed his head to one side, contemplating upon what he was asked.

"No, not yet… But look somewhere else; she's mine," he whispered, making sure the young boy knew exactly where he stood. "So hands off."

His fingers clasped together in front of him, rubbing lightly against each other.

"Set, you haven't answered my first question. Do you love her?"

He sighed as he watched her leave. His eyes closed, and for a fleeting moment he felt swept up by something more powerful than himself as he nodded his head, ignoring the bitter enmity he felt towards the boy on his right hand side.

"…Yes, yes I do."

--

Later in the evening, Set was standing on his balcony, a silent figure amidst all the recent chaos. But he was the eye of the storm, around which all other things revolved. Neith was watching him from behind the balcony curtain, peeking through a self-made gap in the side. Ever since they had returned to his room he had been in a foul mood and she found this strange. Atemu had granted him clemency and had blessed their relationship so what was his problem?

He wished us happiness, so why do you look so sad?

She stepped aside as he suddenly turned around and re-entered the room, angrily brushing the curtain aside. He had at least been talking again to the young Pharaoh, but she did not even know if such an act was real inside his heart. She knew from experience that he neither forgave nor forgot.

"Set, are you all right?"

Silence…

"Set?"

He remained silent. Perhaps he was angry that she had come down and seen him prostrating himself before their ruler. He was such a proud man; to have her see him like that must have been a blow to his dignity. She had not meant to do it. All she had wanted was to make sure he did not have to face it alone. It was the least she could do.

"I know it's not your fault. You just wanted to support me. Now let's take the matter no further."

He sounded annoyed, his voice veiled with a threatening finality. She knew when to drop things so she did. He could always talk about it once he felt ready. She then followed him inside, watching silently as he unfastened his cape and folded it over his table, removing the golden ankh he wore around his neck. It was allowed to drop on the folded cape, after which he stalked over towards an adjoining room, his study. He was so silent and cold; just how was he feeling inside?

He beckoned with his voice for her to follow him so she did. He seemed not to take her to task for her earlier actions, so perhaps he would have something to say.

She could feel his quiet anger before she had even stepped into the room. It was a small space, but it was lined with shelves that held scrolls and statistics about the past year. There was no light, save for a torch on the wall over the desk, which was backed up to the wall and behind that was a gilt chair. He seemed so quiet, more so than usual. It made the atmosphere tense, and why, to her, did he seem so far away? Was he thinking about something he wished to hide from her?

"Set, are you sure you're feeling alright?"

Ignoring his quietness, she leaned against the stone frame of the entrance and folded her arms, watching as he lit the torch, which roared into life as he then set himself in the chair behind the desk, placing the Sennen Rod in front of him.

"That stupid Mahaado. How could he be so ungracious as to interrupt us? He could have at least waited. And then he curries favour with Atemu, calling me a traitor. I'll show him a traitor!" She jumped as he banged a fist on the desk. "The way he spoke to you; if I was able to I would strike him dead for saying such a thing to my beautiful lotus."

He seemed to be thinking out loud, but she totally agreed with him for being angry with Mahaado. After all, he had come in and treated them like children called to stand before an angry father. It made her blood boil to think about the snide look on the priest's face as he had lashed out at her.

"I told Atemu that his latest failure to keep the tombs secure was a failure too far, that Mahaado should be relived of his duty, but was our so-called Per A'a even listening to me? No, he wasn't. He's the Per A'a, after all," she heard him grumble, going on about the events of a fortnight ago when a mysterious figure had made off with many riches that had been placed in the tombs of their ancestors.

"Then why don't you try to change it? Make Atemu listen to you," she replied, offering her opinion as Set stopped mumbling and turned around to look at her.

"Perhaps I will," she heard him murmur once more, his eyes dark as he turned back towards the wall.

He is unworthy. I will have that power soon. One way or the other, it matters not.

Little did she herself know that this was not the end of the matter.

--