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.

Summary: Atemu always gave Set a second chance, but now his patience has finally run out. Set has had enough of his Pharaoh and takes in hand drastic measures. Will he succeed?

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Chapter 34: Revelation And Condemnation

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Soon enough, news of Bakura's defeat had spread throughout the country, bringing with it yet more congratulations for the Per A'a. That really rubbed Set up the wrong way. Two days later, and his role in the defeat of the thief had already been forgotten. Atemu was the one bathing in all the glory and adulation, and once again he had faded into the darkness.

All the priests had been roused from their slumber and ordered to assemble in the audience chamber. They were now waiting for their ruler to appear. He was in a side room with Shimon, discussing some news and demands that a foreign kingdom had brought to their attention. What was going on in there?

The foreign messenger that had arrived yesterday had insisted upon an audience with the Per A'a before he left. Something about this whole business unnerved him; why were the two talking in private?

His mind wandered to the Sennen Ring he had plucked from Bakura's dead body. It had been locked safely away, Shadah, Shimon, Akunadin and himself sensing a great evil that now filled the ring. Whenever someone picked it up, it burnt his or her hand, and not even bathing it in the sacred waters of the Great River had abated its evil. They did not know what it was, but everyone had agreed it was best that it was locked away. Akunadin had taken charge of it, claiming that it was his duty, seeing as he was the most versed in arcane matters.

Then there's that girl with the white dragon, he thought, still in shock over what had happened yesterday. I can't believe she'd save me after what I put her through.

He now found himself in a moral quandary; he knew that her Ba and Ka were united. To take out the dragon would surely mean her death. Although he had rid Kemet of that enemy threat, he was unwilling to kill an innocent in cold blood. The white dragon had enabled him to see his lotus once again, and the least he could do was repay the favour.

Then there was the strange change in Akuandin's behaviour. He had been pushing him to murder the girl and take the dragon, which he found most disturbing. His mentor had always been so thoughtful until now. What had happened to change the old man so?

Who would have thought I'd tell Kisara the things I did?

He could remember his talk with the white-haired girl, which had revealed a lot more about them to each other.

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Yesterday night…

He gazed down at Kisara as he sat on the end of her bed, and as he watched her, she watched him. Glancing away, he bored twin holes into the dungeon floor with his eyes and sighed inwardly. He then looked back at her, forcing the words out between clenched teeth.

"Thank you for saving me."

"I did no such thing, Lord Set. It wasn't me," she answered him.

Kisara then looked up at him nervously, as if something was troubling her deeply. Why was she so sad? He had seen her for who she was: a kind individual who wished no harm upon anyone. She reminded him of his lotus.

"This dragon inside of me is a demon. How can it be anything else?" she sighed. "You told me that when I fell unconscious it caused nothing but destruction – "

"Kisara, that 'demon' is your light. Fire creates as well as destroys. My own soul is seen by others as wicked and malevolent, but it desires only to protect those I hold dear." He raised a hand to his chest and clenched his fingers. "But because of who I am, people don't often make the effort to look past the surface."

She looked up at him curiously.

"Protect? Who do you desire to protect? Who's that valuable to you?" he was asked.

He closed his eyes, thinking deeply.

"This country. Sometimes, I find myself wondering if my efforts are… Never mind. It's none of your concern." He shook his head, feeling the need to get something off his chest. "There's someone else I want to protect; my wife."

She gasped in shock, and he heard her shift beneath the covers. Why was he even telling her this? She had only recently come into his life, so why had he shared something so personal? She seemed like a nice person to talk to. It made a change from talking to Akunadin or Neith.

"You're married?" she gasped.

He chuckled, amused.

"Does it surprise you that much? I suppose it would; I don't seem the type, do I? But you know, she makes me happy. She's the one who, for me, makes my home a home." He smiled as he thought of Neith, Kisara doing the same.

"I can see you're fond of her a great deal. What's her name?"

She sounded interested, which made him feel a range of emotions. He was angry with himself for telling her this, yet he felt proud at the same time to be talking of his lotus. He ran a finger along his left wristlets.

"She's called Neith." He then smiled. "We're expecting a son in a few months time. I'm looking forward to being a father."

She smiled even more deeply.

"I can imagine. That's wonderful news! How long have you been together?" she asked, clapping her hands together.

"Three years. She's an amazing woman," he replied.

He then rose from the bed, feeling warm inside as he rose to his feet. It was nice that he had someone to talk to, besides Akunadin or Neith. He liked to have a fresh perspective on things, and he felt that she would keep this between the two of them. If there was one thing he valued, it was his privacy.

"Will I meet her sometime?" she asked him.

He glanced at her over his shoulder before he left.

"Perhaps. Now I really must be going. It was good to talk with you, Kisara."

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Remembering Kisara, he watched on as Atemu and Shimon emerged from the antechamber, and as he watched them, the hairs rose on the back of his neck. Atemu's eyes were so cold; he had never seen him like that before. Clutching tighter on the Sennen Rod, he focused his gaze on another two who had something else entirely to discuss. Isis and Karim were talking nearby, and unbeknownst to them, he could hear every word.

"Did you hear the way he spoke to Atemu?" Karim remarked, looking at the smaller priestess. "Isis, are you all right?"

"It's those visions. I'm trying to work out how they both fit together. First Neith running up to Set, and then him murdering that girl in cold blood," Isis replied, thoughtfully.

Isis then shivered as his eyes narrowed hatefully at her. Now they were talking about him behind his back!

"You should have seen it, Karim! His eyes. Everything about him was so cold and distant. I was so scared!" she said.

She was scared? It's because of her I'm an outcast! he cursed.

He then tore his gaze away from his two colleagues, feeling a thick venom rise in his chest. His lips pursed together and he breathed slowly, counting to ten to control the rage he felt. It would do him no good to lose his temper. He always bottled such feelings up, putting himself under increasing pressure until he had no choice but to burst.

"I am afraid that I have some bad news to announce to all of you," Atemu spoke up.

He raised his head, gazing impassively at the throne.

"Our visitor's kingdom, as well as my own sentries, who I sent out to investigate upon hearing the rumours, has informed me that a city located on our border has been decimated and slaughtered. There is nothing left." Everyone around him gasped, as he was startled into attention.

I've been discovered? he thought.

"What's more, they claim that is one of us who attacked them! An unsanctioned pre-emptive strike was launched on that city, wiping out innocent men, women and children. They are seeking compensation and the head of the one responsible for the atrocity, or they shall threaten war," the Per A'a finished.

He could swear that Atemu was looking straight at him. That was when he knew he was in trouble.

Let him curse me until the day I die, I don't care. I know what I did was right, he thought, meeting Atemu's gaze.

"Do you know anything about this, Set? Your presence was missed a while ago," Atemu asked him, sounding suspicious. "I'm waiting for your answer, if there is one to give."

He then realised that everyone was looking at him, their faces a mixture of shame, embarrassment and disgust. Akunadin was merely as impassive as ever. A fire burnt within him as he bowed his head and clenched his left hand into a fist. What he had done he had done for Kemet. Who were they to judge him? None of them even had the stomach for what had needed to be done!

"Set," Isis whispered. "Please tell me it isn't true."

"Isn't what true? Eliminating a threat to our peaceful existence?" he scoffed. "Go home and play with your dolls, Isis. If you had seen what I had seen, you would know I was perfectly justified. They wished ill upon Kemet, and so they deserved to suffer. It is my belief that had I not done what I did, they would be working up to warring with us."

Atemu jumped off his throne, his eyes burning with rage.

"Be silent! How dare you commit such a deed in my name! You attacked me, but I forgave you. You rebelled against me, but I gave you a second chance. But such a crime as this can never be forgiven! You never listened to me, you took things into your own hands, and so you must face the consequences."

He snorted in disbelief, his eyes narrowing.

"But why would you listen to me, Per A'a? You never have before, so why would this be any different? You should be thanking me for what I did, cleansing our soil of that filth – "

"Those 'filth' were people, Set! Can you imagine how I felt about your betrayal when confronted by their blood-stained clothes and mangled bodies?" Atemu glared at him, and his keen senses detected several Medjay entering the room.

"I can't say that I do, nor do I care." His eyes flickered between Atemu and the soldiers who had just entered.

What a silly boy you are; a real disappointment.

"You ungrateful, unfeeling pig! How would you feel if you found Neith and your unborn child slaughtered in such a way?" Atemu spat.

His eyes narrowed as Akunadin looked on, his mentor taking in every thought, word and feeling as he glared at Atemu.

"Then I would be devastated, as you full well know," he retorted.

He then noticed that the guards had drawn in closer and he brought the Sennen Rod up against his chest. He could fight his way out if he wished. He could pin everyone down and escape, but then he would have to get his lotus, wherever she may be, and she would only slow him down. Plus, he had backup plans. He always had a failsafe to lean back on.

Then there was the enigma of Akunadin. He desired, for some reason or another, for him to take the white dragon from that girl and become the next Pharaoh. So he would not totally be without support. Neith would be fine; he could get her when the time was right.

He threw the Sennen Rod on the floor at his mentor's feet, their eyes meeting each other as the guards came up and grabbed his arms.

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Neith gazed expectantly at the bedroom door, waiting up for her husband long past when he had said he would return. Sighing softly, she sat on the bed beneath her and continued to stare at the door. She then jumped as someone rapped frantically upon it, desperate to speak to her.

"Neith, open this door! I must speak with you!" a voice called.

"Lord Akunadin! I – what are you doing here?" she gasped.

She hurriedly rose from the bed, crossed the room to open the door and found herself confronted by a worried Akunadin. His face immediately settled when he saw her, and she found herself experiencing a great feeling of dread.

Why does he look so frightened? What's going on? Where is Set? she wondered.

"I'll tell you everything. But please; go back inside!" he told her.

The old priest then hurried her back inside the room before she could react. He seated her back down on the bed and got on his knees before her, clasping her hands as she looked at him, his hood shrouding his head.

"Now, I don't know how to tell you this without causing you upset, but something bad has happened. I'm afraid that Set won't be returning this evening. Or the next," she was told.

She froze, her breath lodged in her throat.

"Why? What's happened to him? I don't understand, Lord Akunadin."

"Now, I don't want you to think any the less of him, but he has committed an offence, though it was carried out with only the best of intentions. Unfortunately, Atemu failed to recognise this," he replied, encroachingly.

Her eyes starting to water, she looked questioningly at the old priest.

"What has he done? Why can't he return?" she cried.

She felt him run his thumbs over her hands.

"There was an enemy encampment amassed along our eastern border. You know what Set's like; it tormented him day and night until he forced himself to do something about it. Except, he was -ah- overzealous in his pursuit of the truth. The enemy was very clever and made it look like a massacre of the innocent when it was anything but. Because of his unsanctioned pre-emptive strike, he now rots away in prison, awaiting execution," he told her.

She began to choke on her tears, the sudden feeling of dread she felt about her husband causing a stream of them to fall down her face. Why had he done such a thing? They were so close to finally seeing their son in the flesh, and now Sobek might never see his father. Her entire body shook with fear and grief.

"How? How could the Per 'A'a have ignored Set's warning of the danger those people posed," she mumbled.

She could not finish the thought; it was just too painful to think that he had been involved in such a vicious attack without the support of Atemu. That damned fool would lead Kemet to its destruction if he continued down this path. The idea that Atemu had pronounced a death sentence onto her beloved was almost more then she could bear.

"Shush. Don't be so easily discouraged, my dear. This won't keep him down; he'll pull through it. But to do so, he will need your support," Akunadin whispered, holding her close with a hand around her head.

She could feel him stroking her hair soothingly; much like Set did for her when she was upset, a hand rubbing her back as her body trembled with her tears.

"I will take care of you, sweet Neith. Set would want me to protect you, even though he cannot be here to say so. I will allow no harm to befall you or your child."

Neith trembled as she cried on the old priest's shoulder. She could not see the strange grin his thin lips had curled into, nor could she tell he had scanned her mind with his Sennen Eye to make sure the words he had spoken had the effect he wished. There was no doubt; his son would take the throne soon. The time was growing near that the white dragon would belong to Set and its power would enable him to prove his worth as Kemet's true king.