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: Comments will come with chapter thirty. I hope you all enjoy this chapter, and what it will lead up to.

Summary: After suffering another defeat at the hands of Atemu, Set grows more disgusted with the Per A'a's inaction to protect their country. He prepares to take action on his own.

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Chapter 29: Consternation And Humiliation

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Later that evening...

Neith pulled a long tunic on over her head, shaking out her hair as she walked across the room. A female attendant took her dress and put it away as she sat on the chair by the desk. The perfumed smell of her recent bath lingered in the air, clinging to her as her attendant, a young girl of fifteen, came up behind her and began to brush her hair. She then sighed.

He thinks I can't even do this by myself.

She felt the tension begin to melt away as the brush ran through her hair, massaging her scalp. Set had given her a helper to relieve her workload, yet it was not even time for her to have the baby. But at least she had someone to keep her company and help her relax. Her baby had been restless today, shifting about, stopping her from getting any rest.

She sighed appreciatively.

"Mmm. That feels good."

Suddenly, the door slammed open. It banged back off the wall, causing both of them to jump in alarm.

"You, leave us," Set growled.

She looked over her shoulder at her husband, who had an enraged look on his face. She sighed inwardly. Something had upset him again, but what? She had an idea that she would bear the brunt of it; he always moaned at her when enraged.

The attendant quickly dropped what she was doing, after which she bowed to the both of them and then made a hasty exit from the room. She steeled herself mentally, looking over her shoulder at him as she got up from the chair. His eyes narrowed as they returned the stare. The fire behind them chilled her to the bone. Only two things could make him feel like this: disobedience and Atemu.

She moved to sit on the bed, watching him stomp across the room, a dark cloud hanging over him as he pulled out the chair from under the desk and angrily plonked himself down.

"What happened?"

He growled angrily, tearing off his blue crown.

"It doesn't concern you," he growled angrily, thumping it down on the table.

Liar.

She had known that he was to train with the other priests. It was most likely that he had won, for he settled for nothing less, so what had angered him so? She did not need this, not now. But she knew she would not be able to get him to stop. Like he said, he was his 'own master'.

"Would you like to tell me?" she asked politely, her inflection hopeful.

He rested his chin on his hands.

"No."

She raised a quizzical eyebrow.

"Are you sure?"

"Absolutely. Now be quiet. I'm warning you, Neith; keep your nose out of my affairs." His knuckles whitened beneath his chin and he visibly tightened. It was as if she could snap him in half.

"But..."

"You want to know? Fine!" He shot up from the chair, sending it flying backwards to the floor, after which he whirled to face her. "I have been debased and humiliated in front of my co-workers by the Per A'a. That no-good brat beat me again! Does it amuse you to see me laid bare like this in public?"

She quietly shook her head, and he soon filled her in on what had happened, ranting furiously. Apparently, the young Per A'a had questioned his methods so he had challenged Atemu to a duel. He had demanded to see the power of the gods, but had been humiliated when his spirit-beast had been bested by the 'ball of disease' that was Kuriboh. Then Atemu had boldly told him that strength was not everything. She did not know where he had been after that, and she dared not ask.

Remaining quiet, she climbed under the covers and tried to get some sleep. But she was not able to, worried by her husband's dark mutterings that continued well into the night.

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The next day, Set had risen just as the sun was beginning its ascent. Ra had only begun to light the sky when he had descended to the lake at the back of the palace. It was the place where the priests bathed every morning, but not for a few hours yet.

The water glimmered softly, a line of ripples disturbing the tranquillity as he skimmed a small stone across its surface. It sank several feet away from where he sat on the bank, his long kilt hitched up so it would not get wet. His legs dangled in the water and he sighed.

I was humiliated, he thought bitterly, skimming another stone. I was weak and pathetic. To think that Mahaa saw me fail. I hate it! And I hate him; that blasted Per A'a who thinks he knows everything!

A wicked smiled then spread across his face. It was small compensation, but at least that Mahaa had failed in his duty to protect the tombs.

"Failure is never a good thing to celebrate, Set."

He looked back over his shoulder, recognising the familiar voice.

"Oh? Lord Akunadin, it's you." He turned back towards the lake and skimmed another stone, plenty more piled up in his lap. "What are you doing here? I wish to be on my own."

Akunadin came up and stood behind him. The next thing he knew, the old priest's hand was resting on his left shoulder. He looked at it blankly, after which he scoffed and skimmed another stone. A line of ripples ran across the lake before the stone fell, along with any good feelings he had hoped to start the day with.

"I could put that same question to you. Why are you here? Are you disquieted by the lesson Atemu handed to you yesterday?"

There was another line of ripples.

"Neith's still asleep. I came down her so I wouldn't disturb her with my thoughts."

"Maybe so, but you haven't answered my second question. Are you angry?"

He looked away as his mentor gazed at him. He was not disquieted; he was outraged at being humiliated! His body felt so enlivened by rage that he felt as if he could do anything! He angrily threw another stone, but this one immediately sank, laden down by the weight of his anger.

"Of course I am!"

His eyes then widened as Akunadin stooped down to pluck a stone from his lap. The old priest then skimmed it across the lake, just like he had done. Where had he learnt that? He had never seen him do such a thing before. He looked up at his mentor, who was looking down at him with a fatherly smile.

"I didn't know you could do that," he breathed.

"There's a lot about me you don't know. I used to come here when I was younger," the old priest replied. He sounded nostalgic for some reason. "I came here all the time. You see; we are very much alike."

--

Fifteen years ago...

"Daddy, where are you going?"

"Far away, my boy."

"Will you be coming back?"

"Of course. You worry too much, son. Now try to relax."

"Okay. Look! I did it!"

Akunadin smiled down at his son, who was seated in his lap, both of them seated at the lake's edge and skimming stones. As he did, he loathed the fact that he would have to give him up. The upcoming mission he was to leave for tomorrow afternoon would forever stain his soul. It was better for Set to believe that he had died gloriously in battle than to learn the truth. He was giving up his wife and son in order to protect his honoured brother, as well as Kemet, and he hated it.

If I had been held up first then this wouldn't be happening. My brother lives in the light so I must be his shadow. His foolish belief in peace shall get us all killed, including my little one.

"Daddy, are you alright? You're crying."

He threw a stone, and it skimmed across the lake.

"I'm fine," he lied, concealing his sadness. "Now come along. It's time I took you back to your mother."

--

Akunadin looked down at his son as he skimmed another stone, just like he had taught him all those years ago. He had given him up to preserve their sanity, but Destiny had rewarded him. His son had returned to him and entered the priesthood, entering into the service of his brother at just sixteen years of age. It had lasted for only a few weeks; his brother had passed on unexpectedly.

Of course, he knew the real reason.

Then his brother's whelp, Atemu, had ascended to the throne that rightfully belonged to Set. He was a boy who stood in the way of his son's destiny to be king. It was destiny that Set took the throne, make no mistake.

"Set, listen to me. You may be hurting now, but it shall continue to grow worse if you don't let out how you feel." He removed his hand from his son's shoulder and stepped back. "After all, you want to create a safe place for your wife and child. Sometime in the future, you may find yourself facing a choice that you may not wish to make."

He turned around and walked away, leaving his son with a strange look on his face.

"Come. Our Per A'a has missed your presence at court. There is something that you should hear."

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"Per A'a. Bakura's desecration of the old Per A'a's tomb was my responsibility. Please, I beg you, allow me to face him to try and make amends for my failure to protect your father."

Set walked into the audience chamber, hearing Mahaado speak, and both him and Akunadin came to a stop behind their fellows. Mahaado's entreaty, if he carried through with it, could rid him of one of his two major problems once and for all. If Bakura lost, then Neith would be avenged and order would be restored. Yet, if Mahaado lost, he would rid himself of a thorn in his side.

It was a win-win situation.

All the odds are in my favour. It's time to collect.

"Very well. But make sure that you return. We shall all suffer if the unthinkable were to happen; won't we, Set?" Atemu sounded concerned as he looked at him. How nauseating.

"Of course. You know, Mahaa, if you fail I guess you really shall be a priest no more. But that would be a cruel thought on my part, would it not?" He then smiled. "I wish you luck on your endeavour."

"I guess coming from you that's a compliment."

He smiled inwardly.

Oh no, Mahaa. It's a death wish.

He looked up at the throne and considered the one who sat upon it. The Per A'a was so concerned for his childhood friend that he could not see the wider picture. A neighbouring kingdom had been sniffing around their territory, encroaching more and more into land that was not theirs. Right next to their eastern border an enemy camp had been sighted. Atemu had claimed that it was a new city, but he knew the truth. Soldiers were gathering there, as well as various civilians. It was a threat to Kemet and could not be tolerated.

Why else would it be discussed?

Atemu soon asked them all what they should do about this problem. Besides his own actions of three years ago, this was a test of Atemu's leadership. Perhaps the Per A'a would finally find the stomach to give him the order he felt needed to be passed; the total eradication of the enemy camp.

To kill the enemy before they kill you is one of the most important rules of warfare. Akunadin taught me this; he understands the need for constant vigilance.

No one had offered his or her opinion so he stepped forwards.

"I say we burn the place to the ground; kill them all like the rats they are."

"Even the women and children?" Atemu sounded shocked.

"Especially the women and children. Not one of them can be allowed to survive or they shall seek revenge."

Akunadin shifted uncomfortably as he said this. He did not know why the old priest felt queasy as of late. Those assembled looked shocked by his words, but he knew he was right, even though they would believe him to be wrong. Mahaado looked up at Atemu, no doubt preparing to scuttle his suggestion.

"That's far too drastic and ill-thought through. And Per A'a has continually told you time and time again that he has no desire to be stained by the blood of the innocent."

"I'd hardly call those foreign scum innocent – "

"Set! Mahaado is right. I shall not have such despicable crimes committed in my name for as long as I remain on the throne. You should be ashamed that you could even contemplate such a vile act!" Now the dear Per A'a sounded disgusted. Who did he think he was?

"If I find out that you do anything of the sort you shall be punished most severely! Is that clear?"

He grimaced to himself, bowing his head in cowed humility. He knew that Per A'a's threat was an empty one. He was as weak as his pathetic servant Mahaa.

"You're right, as always. My apologies, Per A'a."

Little did they notice the gleam in his eyes. He was ready to act, unafraid of whatever Atemu might do; if he found out what he had already set in motion to deal with the scum gathering at the eastern borders, that was. He would do what needed to be done, since Kemet's ruler was not able to.

--

Set smiled as he looked down at the small camp from his horse, surrounded by an army of his finest warriors, all of who were loyal to him. He could afford to miss Mahaado's departure. Those present were all agreed that this was the right course of action. Any threat to Kemet could not be allowed to grow strong.

Raising an arm, he sliced it down through the air.

"Kill them all. Every last one."

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