I don't own Yugioh or anything else that may enter this story. But I do own Nefertiti, well my character anyway.
"speaking"
'thoughts'
The high priestess of Ra stood on the stone balcony of the palace. The wind blew her long, raven black hair in a torrent around her face. The rising sun reflected off her amber eyes, causing them to appear golden. As the sun rose higher, she closed her eyes in silent prayer, asking for Ra to bless the new day. One of the high priests, Seth, her elder brother, joined her and stood behind her waiting for her to finish. Once she raised her bowed head, he walked over to her.
"Nefertiti, the Pharaoh asks for your presence," he stated, his sapphire eyes meeting hers.
"Why? Doesn't he know I have my morning duties to perform? If he still wants my lord on his side, he must wait."
"It seems to be important, whatever it is. He wants all the Item holders there as well as you."
"Only because I hold the power of a god within me."
"Still, you are requested to show."
"Very well, if he so direly needs my presence so be it. But let it be known, if Ra betrays him this day, it will not be my fault."
The two entered the palace and headed for the throne room. Seth brushed a lock of brown hair out of his eyes as he sauntered nonchalantly. She glanced at him.
"It must not be that important for you don't seem to care."
"When is it ever important enough for me to care? You know the only reason I am a priest is because he is our cousin, otherwise I would not trifle myself with this life."
"I concur, but my reason is different. It is the beast that resides within me that has imprisoned me in this world. I am the so called "Blesséd One"."
In unison they pushed open the golden double doors, the entrance to the Pharaoh's throne room. The other priests and priestess were there, as well as Mana, apprentice to Mahado, the Pharaoh's most trusted priest and advisor, who just so happened to not be there. Sitting in the gold throne was no other than Atem, Pharaoh of Lower Egypt. He turned to the siblings and nodded in welcome, his violet eyes closed as he did so. They returned the gesture with a bow, in their minds thinking how degrading it was to be under him.
"Now that you all have arrived, I must pass on some dreadful news. Mahado, keeper of the Millennium Ring, has been murdered," he announced, his voice full of remorse.
There were gasps and murmurs amongst the priests as well as a scoff.
"That is all you wished to tell us?" Nefertiti questioned, "That Priest Mahado has died? You have taken me from my rituals, Pharaoh; rituals that you wish me to perform to keep you on the throne and the country in check. This news is of no importance to me for he is not truly dead, only his body has left us. Wasn't there a stone tablet where he had been killed in place of a body? He swore his allegiance to you, and even in death he is with you through his Ka beast that now resides within the tablet. Atem, come now, you are Pharaoh, you should know all this."
"How did you know about the tablet?" he demanded.
"I saw it in a vision shown to me by Ra as I slept last night. It happens to all soul monsters that wish to or are forced to stay behind. Being loyal to you was Mahado's nature, as it was of his beast. Do not mourn the death of a comrade, but rejoice in a new found power."
"Have you lost your mind?" the priestess Isis asked, whispering the question in Nefertiti's ear, "I know you want out of here, but do it through different means. Don't you know the penalty for questioning the Pharaoh?"
"Of course I do. But he won't dispatch of me, I am the one that keeps him ruler of this land."
"I must admit that you do indeed have a point, Nefertiti, but Mahado's death is the least of our problems. The one who killed him is no other than Bakura, the King of Thieves."
"That is only because Mahado challenged him, if that hadn't happened Mahado would be standing in this room with us."
"Once again, that is true. However this means the Millennium Ring is now in the hands of a thief, a rebel against this kingdom. With this new power, he may start targeting us. Isis, Nefertiti, neither of you are to leave these palace walls until further notice. It will be safer for you here."
"Atem, I have the power of Ra, remember? What could one Item do against the beast I wield?"
"One shouldn't be so cocky Nefertiti. Fate is what decides this, not power." He sighed. "You are dismissed, except you Nefertiti; I would like to talk to you privately for a moment."
After the other priests exited the room, Atem moved from his seat to in front of the priestess. He combed back the golden bangs of his tri-colored, spiked hair.
"Well, what do you wish to say to me?"
"Why all of the sudden questioning, Nefertiti? You were always such a quiet priestess, taking orders as they came."
"Why? I have been stuck in this palace for over a year now, and you are saying I have to stay longer because of one little incident?"
"One of our priests has been murdered. For all any of us know, you or any one else could be next."
"He wasn't murdered Pharaoh. I saw the whole event in my dream. He was dueling Bakura, just as had been planned, but in a random moment in the duel, he stated his allegiance to you and stepped out into the blades that had been swinging between the two. That is how he died. Bakura then took the Millennium Ring and left the tomb."
"But how? The tomb was completely sealed."
"The answer to that, I do not know."
He waved her out; she bowed again before leaving the room, letting the doors slam behind her. Seth stood across the hall, leaning against the wall.
"So, how did it go?"
"You were listening, weren't you?" He nodded. "Then I take it you know." She turned and headed for her chambers.
"Is it true what you said?" he questioned following, "Did Mahado really kill himself?"
"Yes. Ra wouldn't lie to me about such things." She laughed bitterly. "I always knew he was a fool. Why do you ask though? Isn't your opinion the same as my own?"
"Of course, but I don't get it. Why would he do such a thing unless he was losing? Was he?"
"I don't know; there wasn't that much detail in the vision. All I saw was his death and the tablet."
"Oh. So it's kind of like what happened to Kisara, but her sacrifice was different." He paused. "What possessed you to speak out against Atem? It's not your nature to openly speak your opinion, especially in front of the other priests. You do know father will punish you for such an outburst?"
"I know that, but it will not happen. And I don't know what came over me. It must have been Ra's will."
"What do you mean by "it won't happen"?"
"I'm leaving this kingdom Seth. I can't stay here any longer. I am constantly underestimated by the Pharaoh and father. You are the only one who even knows me and sees me for what I truly am. You respect me not only as a sister but as an equal and I love you for that."
"Neph, are you insane? There's no way to get out of this place unseen, and even if you do guards will surely find you and bring you back."
"It has been a long time since you last called me that," she commented thoughtfully, "If you come with me, we can use your Rod to keep anyone and everyone out of our way. Even if you don't, I have my ways to get out." She smirked. "I'll just take the Ankh from Shadah and use its power to become invisible to pass by the guards."
"Are you that determined to leave? You would really lower yourself to a thief?"
"Would you see me in a different light if I did?"
"No, it is your choice to do so and I will not stop you. Though I do find it pointless for you to leave this life behind. You know are close we are to what we desire, why run away?"
"The same reason you wish to, to find somewhere you can be on top instead of underneath someone like Atem. As well as being away from our father."
"Are you sure you have thought this through? If the Thief King does see you and recognizes you, he will take you captive. And I know your Ka beast is strong, but you have to count on the fact that he has one too, everyone does, and you have to believe it is a strong one. Plus he has the Millennium Ring; those powers combined could be a threat, even to you."
"Don't worry, I'll be fine. I will ask for the gods' protection before I leave and make sure I am in disguise."
They entered her room; Seth sat in one of the chairs while Nefertiti started digging through her dresser drawers.
"So, are you going to aid me in any way?" she asked of him.
"What do you wish of me?"
"Well you know I can't take anything with me, it would be too much baggage, but if I don't take anything it will seem like I was kidnapped, correct?"
"You do have a point. But what does this have to do with me?"
"If I give some of my things to you, everyone else will think I ran away, especially since the things I'll give you are of no value to a thief, they're just sentimental."
"It's amazing how you come up with these things. But how will anyone else know they are gone, only you and I know where you've hidden them."
"Exactly. Because of that one technicality, you would know what to look for and where to look for it, but by then they'll be in your possession. They are the things I hold most dear to me and you know I would take them if I could. After you tell the others that, they'll think I ran away. Sure search parties will be sent, but no innocent man will be taken into custody for a crime he didn't commit."
"I can't believe you're going through all of this trouble just to get a temporary escape. Nevertheless, I will do this for you."
"Thank you, Seth." She pulled a bag out of one of the drawers. "Aha!"
"What is it?"
"Peasants clothes. I almost forgot where I put them."
"Have you done this before?"
"Yes. You know you aren't the only one who gets bored with palace life and goes into the village for a day. Usually Isis helps me get out, but this time I don't think she'd approve of it. So I'll just have to use the Ankh.
"Here," she continued handing over a wooden box, "I take it you have some where you can put this?"
"Yeah, I'll keep it safe until you come back."
She smiled. "What if I don't?"
"Then I will pass it on to my children."
"I'll miss you Seth."
"And I you." He gave her one last hug. "Good luck."