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: Set has always been alone, until he found that special someone. The priest then lets slip his charming mask into one filled with hatred and learns something totally unexpected from Akunadin.

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Chapter 38: Ruthless Unveiling

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Glaring down at the spy who had been dragged before him, Set stooped down, grasped at the silver hair and pulled the battered man to his feet. As he gazed into his face, Set saw himself staring at his old slave. After the kindness he had shown the wastrel by abandoning him, he dared to show his face again! He had an idea why he had returned, and so his old slave would now have to face the consequences.

The angry Hem Ntjr threw Sekani backwards, the slave being roughly grabbed by two guards. Spitting in disgust on the man's face, Set separated the Sennen Rod from its sheath with a dangerous scraping of metal.

"After the second chance I so gratefully bestowed upon you, you dare to throw it back in my face. And then you get caught trying to send word to your little whore and her ruler about my plans. Well, I must say I'm disappointed," he hissed.

Set stepped closer to Sekani and struck him hard across the face with the back of the Sennen Rod. Now that Sobek was back with his mother, he was free to conduct this interrogation how he saw fit. And Kisara had been taken inside so she would not see this other side of him; one that those who bore witness to never dared to speak of if they lived past the terrifying experience. The Hem Ntjr then smiled cruelly, running a finger over the dagger; there was no hope for this pathetic traitorous letch. Yes, this time Sekani would die by his hand.

"Set, don't be so hasty to meet justice upon this scoundrel. Allow me to peer into his mind," Akunadin requested.

"Lord Akunadin, I didn't expect the pleasure of you helping me like this." Set smiled wickedly at a shocked Sekani. "But seeing as you insist, go right ahead."

The tall young man stepped back from the slave, the old priest taking his place. Sekani seemed shocked to see Akunadin standing alongside him. From what Set could see, his mentor was finding nothing of importance. But then the old priest froze and stepped backwards.

"Lord Akunadin, what's the matter?" he asked. "You look troubled."

"It is nothing that should concern you, but it has everything to do with me. I shall have to leave you sooner than I expected," Set was answered. "You had best get this over with quickly."

"Gladly," Set replied with relish

Stepping forwards, Set brandished the dagger and thrust it into the gut of the captured slave, jerking it up for good measure. The blood splattered over his blue and white kilts, staining them as he unceremoniously pushed the slave off with his left hand. Now the slave would never speak of what he had seen. Set wiped the blade of the Sennen Rod's dagger upon Sekani's ragged kilt, enjoying the look of fear and hatred he saw in his eyes.

"It's such a shame you won't be able to see your flea-ridden woman again, but you should have thought of that before you came here," the Hem Ntjr whispered darkly, stepping backwards in disgust.

Set then turned to face his adherents.

"Cut out his tongue, gouge out his eyes and then string him up in the town square. Declare what his crimes were; post them on a notice upon the pole upon which he shall hang until his lecherous soul gets eaten by Ammut. Let everyone see what happens to those who dare betray me! And once he dies, bring him back to me. I have one last use for him," he ordered.

Set's serpentine eyes followed several soldiers as they collected the wailing slave and carried him away, kicking and screaming. Oh yes, they would learn the consequences, all right: them and Atemu.

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Akunadin gazed thoughtfully at his son as the slave was taken away; Set had just killed that faceless servant, yet he would not kill Atemu or that girl. He realised his son was not reluctant; he was confused. And if Set were confused, then he needed a guiding hand in the right direction.

And now Atemu was to be a father. That could not be allowed to happen! That brat could not be allowed to father an heir, not when he was so close to seeing Set take over. Or so Akunadin hoped.

I need to drive the wedge deeper between the two of them, the old priest thought, quietly following Set inside. I won't allow him to back out of taking over. Not when he's so close. What he needs is some incentive; a push in the right direction to get him started.

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Later, Neith had just finished feeding her son, and as she rested him on the bed his blue eyes rolled to the side. Readjusting her dress, Neith yawned, not feeling in the mood to put on any make-up. She then lay down next to son and watched him curiously. The brunette ran a finger over his small cheek, smiling as Sobek turned his face towards her finger and tried to get his mouth on it.

It was strange, but Neith had noticed that Akunadin had taken an unusual interest in her son. She had known that he would show some interest of course, being the man Set looked up to, but this seemed to be something more. Something deeper had to be going on inside the old priest's head. It was as if her son meant more to him than some passing acquaintance. Why was that?

"I don't get it either, little one. Do you?" Neith smiled and stroked her son again. "But then, how could you possibly tell me?"

The young mother sighed, pulling her son close to her. It was strange, being a mother. To be responsible for such a precious little child was otherworldly and still evoked new feelings from her, warming her heart. Yet, he looked so much like her and Set. Sobek had his father's nose, and if her thoughts proved correct then he would have his father's eyes: those beautiful blue eyes.

Those eyes were one of the many things Neith loved about Set. They could be cold, but they could also be comforting. She could remember it like it was yesterday.

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Four years ago…

Set gazed quietly at the crying woman and as he watched, Neith dropped her face into her hands. She looked so sad. Walking over to where Neith was seated on the wall, he sat down next to her. He then rested his hands on his knees, Neith still crying.

"Do you want to talk about it?" he enquired gently.

"Not really." Neith sounded upset. "Please, just leave me alone."

The young woman continued to cry, her body shaking next to Set, who shifted uncomfortably. The young priestess, one who he had made it his divine-given mission to annoy in his youth, had recently lost her father in a way similar to the way he had lost his. Set knew it seemed selfish, but he was glad to have found someone who could now understand what he himself had gone through.

She's been so quiet lately, the Hem Ntjr thought, glancing at Neith. He was unsure if he wanted to hold her close and comfort her, or even if such comfort would be accepted.

"I've never realised until now how much sadness you were suffering with alone," Set said, looking down at her. "It's all right. I understand what you're going through."

Neith froze, falling silent.

"How could you possibly understand how I feel?" she sobbed.

Set fell quiet, willing himself to speak.

"I have no father either. I lost him in battle when I was but five years old. He died bravely, protecting the Per A'a and this country, just like yours. So as you can see, I do understand how you feel." Set looked at Neith, her face hidden in her hands.

"I didn't know that, I'm so sorry," Neith whispered quietly.

"Thank you," Set replied, not feeling as tense as he had expected when he felt her hug close to him. "To tell you the truth, that was the main reason I decided to become a priest. I wanted to carry on the work my father had started."

Neith smiled into Set's chest as he gently stroked her hair.

"That's a noble thought. I haven't congratulated you yet on your promotion, have I, Hem Ntjr?" Neith murmured.

Set continued to stroke the soft hair he could feel beneath his fingertips, feeling Neith calm down as he smiled. She then looked up into his eyes and he could feel the tension building in the air. He hurriedly let go of Neith and stood up. It felt strange, being this close to someone. Set then held out his hand, offering to escort the upset brunette back inside the palace.

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Once the sun had fallen and the night had drawn in, Set took an alert Sobek off Neith and held him close. Looking down into his son's eyes, the Hem Ntjr walked over to where Neith stood on the balcony, gazing up at the stars. She turned around to face him as he approached, a smile on her face.

"You're taken with him, haven't you?" Neith asked him.

"Very much so. He's perfect, just like you," he replied.

Neith then smiled more deeply, and Set found himself smiling back. Ever since Sobek had been born, Neith had let no one save himself and Akunadin hold their child. Even then, she had taken him back as quickly as possible off the old priest whilst trying not to seem rude.

Yes, and so have I, Set thought.

His old mentor had been creeping them both out as of late. Akunadin's attempt to ingratiate himself was obviously a ploy to cajole him into being on his side. It was strange, though. Set had expected so much more of the man he looked up to than trying to create a deeper relationship between them, using his newborn child in such a way.

Set then stepped forward, putting an arm around Neith.

"Could we have some more one day? He's beautiful, like his mother." Set kissed the side of his wife's face, suddenly feeling broody.

"I've only just given birth to this one. Can't you wait?" Neith responded coldly.

Neith then sighed tiredly and brushed past Set, heading back inside.

My, someone's in a mood today, aren't they, little one? Set held Sobek close to him and followed Neith inside.

The Hgem Ntjr saw Neith sitting cross-legged on the bed, so he walked over and sat next to her on the edge. She leaned against him, no doubt worn out by the demands placed upon her by the newborn. He hugged her close with one arm, still holding Sobek with the other.

Neith soon fell asleep against her husband, Sobek still awake. The three of them stayed like that for a while, and Set silently enjoyed their company. For the first time in his life, he felt so peaceful and content that he knew he would stop at nothing to protect his family.

"I do love you a great deal, lotus. Don't worry; once the time comes, I'll get enough revenge for the both of us."

Set then heard a slight sniffle and looked down at Sobek.

"Come on. Don't cry now," he pleaded.

Feeling that his son would soon make enough noise to awaken the whole house, Set gently peeled himself away from Neith and left her sleeping on top of the bed. He then made his way over to the bedroom door and opened it, Sobek quietening down now that he seemed to be moving. Sobek seemed happiest when he was held, and Set smiled at the sweet expression of awe that Sobek gazed up at him with.

Set then gasped as he saw Akunadin skulking away down the corridor; the old man's shoulders were slumped as if he bore a heavy weight that threatened to overwhelm him. He had thought for certain that his mentor had already gone to bed. Why was he still awake? Set followed Akunadin down the corridor, eventually catching up to the old priest.

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Akunadin paused as he walked down the corridor. Turning around, he saw that Set was staring back at him. Turning back around and walking away, Akunadin paused when he heard his son call his name.

Why did I even come here? It's obvious you have no desire to listen to me. Now I see that it was a foolish mistake to come here, the old priest thought.

"Where are you going at this ungodly hour?" Set asked. "Were you planning on running away in the dead of night before I could say goodbye?"

Akunadin turned back around to face his son, who he could see was holding his grandson, Sobek, in his arms. It had been so good to see the little one, yet he was concerned that the boy's father was losing his grip on reality. Set had executed that slave himself, yet he was unwilling to kill for the ultimate power. He did not understand it.

"I am leaving. It is obvious you don't want to listen to what I have to say, and my presence shall soon be expected at the palace," Akunadin replied. "Since you have no desire to do the right thing by taking over, I cannot help you any longer."

"I've repeatedly told you that I shall not kill Atemu. Remove him, yes; he is a liability to our country. But I shall not kill him, nor shall I kill the girl," Set responded.

The old priest gazed in bitter disappointment at his son.

"I had such high hopes for you, Set. You could have had it all! And now you're telling me you won't take charge and lead this country because you've suddenly discovered your conscience? How pathetic! I'm ashamed I even taught you at all!" he spat, instantly regretting his words. "Set, I'm so sorry."

Akunadin rested his face in his hand and seethed at his mistake as Set's eyes narrowed. The young man raised Sobek up to his chest and held him gently against his shoulder, whispering soothing words into his son's ear. He needed to get the truth off his chest; he badly wanted to be a part of his son's life again, and also that of his grandson. Perhaps he could even hope for the best, that Set would accept him as his father and be happy about it. For fifteen long years he had not been a part of Set's life to the extent that he had been before throwing it all away and now he wanted that life back. And he wanted to be a part of Sobek's life.

Then there was all he had done to save his son from Atemu's death sentence. Surely he would understand that?

No one kills my son, no one, Akunadin thought.

"If that was the case, then why have you gone to such lengths to help me, Lord Akunadin?" Set asked. "I would have thought that you would be able to see right through my heart and know everything I was going to do before I did it, so why did you help me?"

You always call me Lord Akunadin, but you never call me father. What I wouldn't give to hear you call me father again, just once.

Akunadin looked sadly at his child and his grandson, both the generations a painful reminder of everything he had lost. But his brother was no longer around and he desperately wanted to take back everything he had been forced to give up. The old priest knew his life would soon end, and he wanted to make sure that Set found out just in case he died. He did not want to die with a heavy heart if this was to be the last time he saw his son.

"To tell you the truth, I did have a son once. He was so small when he was born, yet he made enough noise to raise the dead. I was so glad when he survived his first year," Akunadin began.

Set gazed at the old priest sadly.

"I'm sorry, Lord Akunadin, I didn't know. What happened to him?"

Akunadin gazed intently at Set.

"When you joined the priesthood, you knew that my brother was the previous Per A'a, Akunumkanon. Therefore, the royal blood flows through my veins as well as those of my son. For a long time I tirelessly served my brother, but like yourself, I had to commit a crime to protect the country that I love." The old man paused for breath, feeling an overwhelming sense of sadness. The weight of his secrets mercilessly bore down upon his heart, making it hard to breathe. "To do this, I was forced to throw away my wife and son, the two things most precious to me. I can still remember throwing stones with him all those years ago. But then Destiny saw fit to return him to me, back to his origin. Don't you feel it calling to you, Set?"

"Feel what?" Set sounded confused.

"That Destiny has returned you to me. You see, you are my son!"

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