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.

Author's Note: Thanks for all your support. Here's some more information of interest. Set has his estate in Naquda, which was a town in Kemet/Egypt associated as a place of worship of the God Set. Interesting, is it not? A new term to keep in mind is 'Medjay' which refers to Atemu's Royal Guards. This fic fast-forwards deliberately, but things will be revealed. Have no fear…

Summary: Set has finally rebelled against Atemu and has the throne firmly in his sights. Or is that all he's after? And is he the one truly manipulating things or is he being controlled by another power?

--

Chapter 19: The First Uprising

--

Some time later…

Neith gazed worriedly up at the duel stage, which was prepped for battle. As she watched the two combatants she found herself growing ever more fearful for the man on the left. After the events of three months ago, during which Set had ignored Atemu's orders and dragged her back with him to his estate in Naquda, she was now sandwiched between six of Atemu's Medjay. They had done more, of course, but that was a story for another time…

They were in a chamber where her rebellious lover had declared his challenge to the young Per A'a. She had no idea who the black-robed priests behind him were, maybe followers, but she had been abreast of rumours that someone close to Atemu had grown dissatisfied and was prepared to revolt. And here she was, caught between the man she loved and her loyalty to the throne.

Or supposed loyalty. I've heard what they all say about him when his back is turned…

Ever since they had been marched back to the palace three months ago tensions had increased. Mahaado and others had been whispering behind Set's back, spreading their venomous lies. They harboured a grudge towards the man she loved and Atemu had made no effort to put an end to it.

"He did it once, he'll do it again."

"I don't trust him at all. How can you? Just look at his name!"

"His heartlessness is as great as his lust for power."

"That girl of his, he's just using her. Someone as cold as he is totally incapable of love."

She gritted her teeth; she had heard all of their whisperings. And then, when she was already at war with her own nerves, Karim had the audacity to ask her how her heart would fair upon his scales…

"How well would your heart fair upon my scales, Priestess? Best watch your step and remember your place lest we put it to the test."

That had been the last straw! Until that moment she had been doubtful, but now she would much rather ally herself with the man she loved than the shortsighted and judgemental Priests. She had told him she would always stand by him and she intended to keep that promise. It had served them right that she had allied herself with Set, condemning him for mere thoughts and not deeds was unforgivable.

Even if he has turned now it's entirely their entire fault. I heard them talking, I heard it all. Every hateful word pushed me further away from people I've stupidly looked up and even thought of as friends. It was quite a shock seeing their true colours coming out when they felt no one could hear them…

--

Two weeks ago…

"I'm telling you Karim, that Set's up to no good. Once a traitor always a traitor! I don't trust him at all. I don't even know why Atemu lets him walk free; he should be sitting in prison for what he's done. Have you seen him strutting around, acting like he owns the damned place?"

Hearing Mahaado's voice she crept forwards, peering around the edge of the wall. A flickering torchlight illuminated the holder of the Sennen Ring, who was talking to a man with his back to her. Yet, she could easily tell who he was; the Sennen Scales were held within his right hand.

"I know. Have you heard that he's still complaining about his position? I wouldn't be surprised if he was manoeuvring for support. The way his mind works is most disturbing."

"I've heard of such rumours, but it's to be expected. Yet, I didn't want to believe it. It would be foolish to think he is still loyal to our Per Aa in light of how he threatened him as he did." Mahaado sounded apprehensive and she could see the thoughtful look on his face. "We'll have to keep an eye on him; him and that woman of his. He's already run off to his estate once already with his tail between his legs. Hmm? What's that?"

She hurriedly ducked behind the wall as Mahaado looked in her direction.

"Did you hear something, Mahaado?"

"No. It must have been my imagination…"

--

"The origin of the great Sun of God, Ra; grant me the power to destroy my enemies!"

A loud voice called her back to reality and she immediately looked up at the duel stage; Set's arms were spread wide as he called on the Great One for aid.

Taking in the sight, she watched as his black-cloaked followers began to chant, their bodies being surrounded with a muted blue aura. Six blank tablets were lined up behind Set, three on either side of him, and one to his left began to raise, an image of a snake-like dragon carved upon it. It had to be one of the Ka he kept in the Veju Temple… there was an evil smile on his face and she worried about his state of mind.

"Set!" She attempted to push past the guards but was forcefully dragged back. "Just remember that I gave you my heart! With it you can't lose!"

He glanced down at her momentarily as spears crossed right in front of her nose, hands gripping her upper arms and preventing her from running forwards. There was a glimmer and then his gaze shifted to Karim. There had been a look of understanding in his eyes and she knew that he would take care of her most treasured possession.

Out of the raised tablet emerged a serpentine dragon, its body made from nothing but stone and gravel. It slithered forwards, pebbles falling out of place as it slammed its two small front claws into the ground.

You can win. Don't lose! I dare not think of the consequences…

She had known he did not really respect Atemu, but she had felt sad when she had realised that she had been kept in the dark for such a long time. He had not told her of his plans, nor had she asked. But Akunadin… he had been acting strange. All those subtle hints the old priest had dropped had not gone by unnoticed and she understood he had known of Set's intentions all along.

"Set will soon need your support."

"Soon, you might be faced with a choice that you may not want to make."

"We were supposed to be talking about contracts," she whispered softly. "Not to be in the middle of an uprising. Oh Set…"

There was a curt exchange between Set and Karim and she watched them, Karim raising his scales before him.

"You evil deeds cannot be forgiven, traitor! I shall punish you!"

"Go ahead and try. You'll only fail." Set had a vicious smile on his face as he stood behind his Stone Dragon. "Just like Him. If he actually finds the strength to face me, that is."

"Fine! We shall see who emerges the victor! Knight of The Swift Winds I call upon you; smite this betrayer!"

Karim then gestured with his free hand and a tablet rose to his right, engraved with the image of a mounted warrior who wielded two long spears. The same Ka then appeared on his side of the stage. The horse whinnied and stomped its hooves as the knight pulled down his horned helmet, his face obscured by shadow. Anyone could see that it was a strong Ka.

"I shall punish you with the strength of the gods themselves! Go, Gaia!"

The knight galloped forwards across the stage on his horse, piercing straight through the stone dragon with his left-handed spear. Her mind was working furiously to work out why Set had not placed his dragon in a defensive posture. If he had, the strength of the two Kas would have been equal. Unless he had hope to lure Karim early on into sending out one of his strongest Ka…

She jumped for joy, punching the air with her fist as the Medjay's arms brought her back down to earth. She had thrown her lot in with the man she loved; there was no reason to be ashamed. These hypocritical judgemental colleagues of his deserved everything they would get. According to his wishes she had not involved herself with the rebellion, but she longed to show him she cared.

Watching on with a smug smile, she continued to have faith in him as the Stone Dragon fell apart. Its dead body turned into dust that was blown away. There followed a large crash of thunder, which struck several of the priests behind Set, Set himself shielding his face with his arm.

"Do you see what you've done? Osiris is angry!"

"Like I care. Osiris may be one of the Three Gods, but where is he? Do you see him right here in front of us? I don't…" Set replied, mockingly, gazing around the duel stage, after which he jabbed a finger at Atemu. "He has not the power to summon Gods, otherwise he would have used them by now! That is the truth!"

She looked up at the throne. Atemu was watching all of this silently.

Why haven't you done anything yet?

"The truth is, Set, that you are a heretic as well as a traitor. You dare to question the existence of the Three Gods of Per A'a?"

"Why yes, I suppose I do." She watched Set as he nonchalantly checked his nails, after which he raised the Sennen Rod in front of him, pointing it at Karim. "But you should be more concerned about yourself!"

He soon summoned another Ka, a gigantic dragon covered in shining emerald. She gazed in awe at its beauty.

"God! I ask that you be kind to your servant!"

Karim seemed nonplussed and she could hear another tablet rise. She watched on as a wicked looking dragon materialised, covered in sheer yellow scales and spots of red.

"Ka, unite!" Karim then yelled, hoisting the Sennen Scales aloft.

She watched the two Ka merge together, Gaia's horse disappearing as the knight leapt on top of the dragon's back. The two spears he wielded still clenched in his hands. She knew of the power of the Sennen Scales; it allowed their owner to fuse Ka together. Set could do so much more if they were to fall into his possession. She felt guilty for thinking such thoughts, but she wished him every success.

"Set! My Ka shall punish you and your followers! An evil priest such as yourself can never be forgiven! There will be no redemption for the likes of you or those that stand with you."

As he spoke Karim glared at Neith, then back at the priests behind the man she loved.

He's not evil, just misunderstood…

She glowered at Karim; what did he know? Set's dragon was soon destroyed by the fused Ka and she wondered what he would do next. She knew at least one thing; by rebelling like this he hoped to avoid any damage to Kemet that she had seen in that vision.

They know nothing! He's not doing it for himself! That's just an afterthought!

This had all come from Isis's vision. The Priestess was standing inside the chamber out of her sight, along with Mahaado and Shadah. Now, after all this, she knew that the Priestess would have no choice but to divulge her vision. Her conscience would not allow it to remain hidden away any longer. And yet again there was another flash of Osiris's thunder; the remnants of Set's followers were soon banished to the same place as their fellows, too weak-minded to resist the will of the Saint Dragon.

"You know nothing! Do you even know of the pain I feel?" Set yelled angrily, his cry piercing her heart as he glared up at Atmeu on his throne. "Where are they now? They refuse to come down and defend this country! What kind of ruler rules without power? No one has faith in you, Per A'a, and those who do are fools! I will show you the power of one who has put their faith in me!"

You would use my most precious Ka?

She did not have to guess his next move. The tablet closest to him on his right began to raise, upon it the image of a seated mage. It had once been her most treasured possession, something she would not trade for any amount of money, and now she had given it to him as a sign of her love and loyalty. But it was more than just a Ka to her; it was the remnants of someone she held dear. And so her heart dwelled in Set's deck of Ka.

It appeared with a serene look on its face, yet for just a moment she could have sworn that it shot her a disapproving look, as if telling her off.

"Neith, isn't that…?"

Akunadin quickly looked at her from in front of the soldiers and she nodded solemnly. The two had known each other very well and she closed her eyes, not seeing the sly gleam in the eyes of the old priest.

"You gave him to Set. You must truly love him to do such a thing."

"Yes, I do love him."

--

Set, meanwhile, was smirking at Karim from behind the blue-robed Ka, its small red and metallic ornaments dangling from its shoulders. As he watched the Ka he remembered fetching its tablet from Per Bast. He had accompanied Neith back there when she had needed to see to temple business and to appoint a stand in. Yet, she had not talked to her mother about him. It was as if she was afraid…

I know what you mean to her. She's given me her heart, he thought, gazing coolly at the Ka he had just summoned. Don't worry. I won't let her down.

You had better not, boy…

The Ka seemed to be talking directly into his mind before it focused its attention on Karim's Dragon Champion. It nodded its head and he clasped a fist in silent triumph. Neith's faithful servant was now his; she had given him the most powerful Ka she owned. Not in terms of raw power but in it's potential to be invincible. She had told him of its special abilities and he could not wait to test them out. Finally, he had a power, albeit not a god, which he could use to protect his lotus.

But also a great responsibility... Yet I have no regrets.

Looking at Karim, he smirked as his old colleague addressed him.

"What do you plan to do? It's still the weaker Ka."

"Not necessarily. In a way, it's quite similar to my own Ka," he replied, glancing back down at Neith. She smiled and he was moved by her belief in him, catching the knowing look on Akunadin's face. "Now watch as I activate its first special ability; Book of Secret Arts!"

A book bound in leather appeared in front of the Ka and it began to read from its pages, chanting in a strange language. Just like Mahaado's Illusive Magician, this Ka, Maha Valio, held its own range of magical abilities. This Ka though, compared to Mahaado's, was more focused on boosting its actual power and strength than trickery.

"Kya ha, ha, ha! Now let me show you the power of Magical Sacrifice!"

"What are you planning?" He smirked at Karim as two of his remaining three tablets suddenly crumpled inwards, cracks running along the surface. "What's this!"

Laughing, his eyes widened in maniacal glee and his lips curved upwards.

"I'll show you power! Maha Valio; take the power I've given you! Use your Holy Lightning!"

He continued to laugh, clenching his fists as the very air that filled the room began to crackle, sparks of electricity making the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end.

"Look at our mighty Per A'a on his throne! Still he refuses to face me!"

He looked on gleefully as storm clouds slowly rolled in above their heads, thunder crashing noisily above. Almost as soon as the clouds had generated the lightning arrived, the hands of his Ka outstretched. It directed the furious lightning as it descended, aiming it towards Karim's Ka. The lightning struck it head-on, electrocuting it until it was nothing but a pile of ashes. The excess lightning thundered past where the Ka had been, wreaking a path through the rest of Karim's tablets.

"How pathetic you are! You're no match for me!"

His laugh went a pitch higher as flames licked around where the lighting had scorched the stage. He raised the Sennen Rod victoriously into the air above his head. Karim dropped to one knee, sweating profusely as Set triumphantly came towards him to claim his prize. Karim gave him one final scowl before he fell forward onto the floor, the Sennen Scales still tightly clutched in his hand. Set smiled wickedly as he reached down to take what now belonged to him and all that came with it.

He then victoriously hoisted the Sennen Rod above his head.

"Where are your gods now!"

He could see the fire in Atemu's eyes as he rose from his throne. Perhaps this would not be a waste of time after all…

--