It's been taking me longer to post up chapters, it seems. This one is rather short, but I'm not the one writing them so there's nothing I can do about it. Hope you guys enjoy reading it. [I wanted to post this yesterday, seeing it was Yuugi's b-day but heh...]
NeferNeferi - Nothing yet, but they will be meeting soon. Stay tuned!
Chapter 15
"Whew ... it's finally done."
Atem put down the reports sent to him by his ministers and closed his eyes in exhaustion, wanting to let himself take a short break. Unfortunately, the gods never seem to listen to the will of the people because just as he closed his eyes, the sounds of many arguing voices in the distance was heard.
"Ohh ... it can't be! It's those old men again!!" Atem muttered in exasperation.
Ever since the last time he had angrily lashed out at them, he thought that it would put a stop to the idea for him to marry. He never would have known that it caused just the opposite effect. Now the officials would wait until he had completed with the affairs of state for the day to begin talking about this girl or that one. Even more, once they started chattering, it would be in an endless stream. What a headache it caused!
Seeing the group of men moving towards him, Atem promptly decided to do something -- get away from them! He stood up and, without turning his head, headed towards the Temple of Light. Of course, the old men weren't going to let him off so easily. They began to follow after him.
{Temple of Light}
In the temple, Seto had just completed his priestly duties for the day.
"Priest Seto ..." A faraway voice called to him and he immediately turned towards the sound.
"... Is something the matter, chancellors?" Seto asked, his expression one of cool aloofness.
"Have you seen the Pharaoh pass by here?" They were eagerly waiting for his response.
"I have not!" Was the curt reply, his tone clearly telling them not to waste his time.
"Is that so? Then ... we shall be leaving now." The men knew of and feared Seto's power in the palace.
"I won't be seeing you off then." He turned around, paying them no attention. It was as if the men were merely the air in the room. The men left, each one thinking to themselves, 'I always seem to have this feeling of dread when I speak with Priest Seto...'
After seeing that the men were far away from him, Seto looked around at the 'empty' temple and spoke, "They've all left now. You can come out, Atem."
A shadow appeared out of the depths of the temple.
"Hmph! What a bunch of annoying old ..." Atem watched the shadows of the men disappear in the distance.
Seto looked over at him. "I think you should get married soon. Then those men won't be bothering you every day."
"You know I don't want to do that..." Is this guy looking for death?
"Ah ... Whatever you want then. Why don't you sit down?"
Atem sat down and sighed. "Alas ... I think it was better when I was the Crown Prince. At least there weren't anyone to force me into getting a wife."
"Who asked you to be the Pharaoh at such a young age? Just accept your fate." Seto drank a bit of tea.
'How despicable! Even now, you try to make fun of me?! But what he says has the ring of truth to it. I guess ... I should go out for a bit. I honestly do not want to see those old men again. Once I think of them, I don't feel so well.'
"Hey, Seto ..."
"What?"
"In a moment, I hope you can help me."
'Help you?' While Seto was trying to understand the meaning behind those words, Atem immediately jumped out of a window.
"A ... Atem?!" Seto watched stupidly as he jumped out from a eight-story high temple. But he wasn't too worried since with Atem's magical powers, jumping from this height meant nothing to him.
Once Atem landed on the ground, he used his powers to tell him, 'Seto, I am going out for a bit. I'm leaving the affairs of the government in your hands.'
"What?! You ... You get back here right now!!!! Atem!!!!" Ugh, I'll have to take over for him again ... by Ra!
Author's Corner:
Youlan: How pitiful it is for Seto ... having to replace the Pharaoh.
Seto: Damn you ... prepare to die!
Youlan: Oh ... Ah ah ahh! (Was punished by a game of darkness by Seto)
Yami Youlan: ... You deserved that.
Posted on June 5, 2004 by Rika.