Angel of Light
Chapter 11
Coronation
"Stupid Axe Raider," Celestia muttered as she walked away from a room that had been trashed with the efforts of getting the Shadow Monster back into the Shadow Realm. "Nearly got me killed, then where would I be? Not here in Egypt but under it, that's where!" It had been two years since she left the temple and gone to Kuruelna, but those two years had been anything but boring.
"Fighting monsters and performing rituals all the time; it's a miracle I still can bend at the knees!" she finally reached the courtyard where the owner of the house cowered with the rest of his household.
"Is the monstrosity gone?" he whimpered.
"Call it a monstrosity one more time and I'll fetch it back here!" Celestia snapped. "Its name is Axe Raider and yes, it's gone. No thanks to the lot of you," she muttered the last part to herself. "Oh, and by the way," she opened her palm and held it out to him. "This is now a household protector. You'll have to get someone to enlarge it." He stared at the small stone tablet with the image of the Shadow Monster on it until Celestia took his hand and pressed the tablet into it.
"Lady Veil, how do you do such things without being hurt?" a child asked her as she stalked her way over to a wall to recuperate. She had earned the nickname Lady Veil because she never told anyone her name but always wore a sheer linen veil over the lower half of her face. Nevertheless, her fame was spread all over Egypt and she was widely sought after to rid many households and towns of their Shadow Monsters.
"I don't come away unscathed," she admitted. "My hands are burned from handling the Axe Raider's weapon which is only supposed to be wielded by its owner. Also, I think I see some bruises on the horizon for me."
"Speaking of the horizon, the sun's beginning to set," an elderly man said. Many knew that the veiled priestess liked to travel by night, arriving in the next town by day. Still, many more tried to coax her to stay.
"It's not safe to travel by night, especially if the moon is going to be only a crescent."
"Please share dinner with us at least."
"We must pay you back somehow."
"The town would love to host the famous Lady Veil for even one night."
"I'm sorry, but I have to go." Celestia wished she could stay, but she had many jobs to complete still and she was expected in an oasis the day after next.
"Here, take some money." The head of house shoved a bag into her hands. "We could have lost much more."
This was one of the perks of being a traveling priestess, Celestia reflected. Everyone didn't know when you could next come so they pay you double to entice you to come back sooner. Too bad it doesn't work.
Nevertheless, she accepted it gracefully and tucked it into her traveling bag, which she always carried with her. "Thank you for your hospitality." She left, happily weighing her choices, which were always open. A traveling priestess didn't necessarily have to stick to a schedule. There was just one more thing that she had to do before she left the town.
"Excuse me," she stopped a boy carrying a sack over his shoulder. He put his load down and listened. People who helped the priestess usually received a large tip. It wasn't like she needed it after all. "Could you direct me to the nearest temple of the Shadow Realm Goddess?" Only priestesses knew her true name and even that changed with decades. He pointed the direction out and received a gold coin.
"Sometimes I'm too generous," she sighed. But the look on the boy's face was all the pay she needed.
Celestia stepped over the threshold of the temple and walked to the room accessible only by priestesses. She entered and seated herself on a stool, waiting for her personal Shadow Monster to arrive.
"Cosmo, where are you?" she called out teasingly. A Cosmo Queen appeared and seated itself on a stool as well.
"Celestia, Malik is increasing the range of his murders," she said without preamble.
"How so?" Celestia had been monitoring the activities of the only person who had ever threatened her. Fortunately, he didn't know that the famed Lady Veil was in fact the person who he wanted. He could be so dumb sometimes.
"He's not limiting his attacks to just your kind of priestesses. Last month, he killed a priest of Osiris and a priestess of Isis! Your spell is limiting his absorption rate though." Celestia had made sure that Malik would only absorb a tenth of his victim's power. "He's getting bolder, though, and is killing more to make up for the lack. If I may say so, you should just deal with him and save yourself the time."
"It's not as simple as that," Celestia sighed. "He knows who I am, but can't tell anyone unless I give him permission or I die. He can drag Seth into this too, but he's too well guarded. Cosmo, the last thing I want in the world is for him to find out who I am. It could change his whole opinion about me and I don't know what kind of poison Akenadin has already fed him. Bottom line is, I can't."
"That's all I have to say besides this: Malik is going to be looking for you at Memphis tomorrow, so don't go there."
"I've never had an intention to go to Memphis and I don't intend to start now." Celestia had avoided all royal and middle-class summons from Memphis since Seth and Akenadin lived there.
"The Pharaoh will feel insulted, not to mention all the people there."
"I don't care if he sends an army after me. I'm not going there!" Cosmo Queen returned to her post and Celestia went to the city gates.
"Horses for hire!" one man bellowed. Celestia went there since she always changed them.
"One horse who's not disinclined to stay at its own pace. Preferably used to hard travel, too," Celestia said to the hostler.
"You'll be wanting the Sheik, then. Be warned, Lady Veil. He'll do as he pleases, which is usually a speed that would throw your head back with the force."
"I'll be fine," she said shortly and paid. Celestia led Sheik to the gates and mounted him, making sure that her bag was securely tied to the back of her saddle.
"Are you sure you want to travel now, miss? There are thieves afoot in the desert," the guard informed her, eyeing her slight build.
"I can fend for myself," she said. They chose to believe her since priestesses had powerful magic and could blast any thief to kingdom come. She guided her horse into the desert and started off.
After three or so hours, she began to grow drowsy, not helped by the warmness still in the air from the day. Perhaps that was why she was captured so easily. Celestia felt only a pain on her neck from a blunt arrow and slipped quietly to the ground.
"Hey, wake up!" she was roughly shaken into wakefulness by a callused hand. She opened her eyes and saw two leering men.
"Where's your gold?" he demanded. "We've searched every bloody pocket in the bag and it's not there." Celestia remembered that she placed an illusion on her gold to make them look like-
"Veils are the only thing we found, but you have to have money. You've got the finest linen money can buy and the headband you wear is of rich gold. So where is it?" Celestia tried to lift her hand to cast a spell but her hands were bound.
"I am not telling you, so why don't you go cry to mama?" She snapped. "You're lucky my hands aren't free or you would be dead by now." One of the men did a double take, eyes widening as he finally realized who his prisoner was.
"Weevil, we've got ourselves a real prize!" he said. "Lady Veil herself at the mercy of two common thieves."
"No one's seen her face except for the eyes." Weevil said. "Rex, see if she'll tell her secret with her veil off!" Rex reached for the delicate cloth but his hand faltered in the process.
"What's the matter with you?" Weevil asked. Rex just keeled over-with a knife in his back. Weevil soon joined him. Celestia looked around wildly for the thrower and a figure covered with a cloak emerged out of the darkness.
"Cursed fools should know better than to rob on my turf," he muttered, looking distastefully at the carcasses. His gaze fell on Celestia, who stared back just as boldly. "And here we have the masked wonder, Lady Veil. Hmmm..."
"Untie me at once!" Celestia demanded, fixing him with a deadly look.
"Pay me," he said simply.
"Why should I?" she asked.
"I don't do rescue work without payment," he explained as if it was the most common thing in the world. "You certainly look like a damsel in distress,"
"Sorry, but no, I can't," she said. "It goes against my code to pay a mercenary."
"The King of Thieves isn't a mercenary," he said. "I just take advantage of opportunities." Celestia closed her eyes and blasted away her bonds. She stood up, chafing her wrists.
"And I am no damsel in distress," she said once the sand had settled. He still stood in the same place.
"Too bad. I'll have to kill you now," he said and lunged at her with a knife he slipped out from his sleeve. She dodged to the side and crossed her arms in an X. He tried to strike again but magic enveloped his knife and ate it up. He backed up a step.
"Still want to kill me now?" Celestia taunted, silver fire burning in her hands. His only response was to summon a Shadow Monster and set it on her.
"Yes," he finally said.
"Just my luck to deal with three Shadow Monsters in one day," Celestia muttered. The monster tried to spear her with its scythe-like arms but she made a slashing movement with her hands and it disappeared.
"You can't beat me with Shadow Monsters," she informed her attacker. He charged with another knife and she countered with the knife she stole from him. They were locked in a close quarters struggle, trying to gain the upper hand.
While slashing at him, she knocked off his hood and a head of white hair was revealed. She lowered her knife incredulously.
"Kage?" she asked, but his knife ripped into her palm. He readied his weapon for a killing blow and struck downwards...
(Should I end it now?)
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(Nah, I think I'll go on)
Celestia gripped the steel of the knife, grip made slick by sweat. "Kage, it's me! Celestia!" she shouted desperately. The knife stopped at her throat, its wielder's eyes widened in recognition.
"You're the one from Kuruelna," he stated and drew his knife away. Bakura stepped back and dropped his weapon.
"Long time no see?" Celestia said weakly. She winced and looked down at her palm which blood was flowing from. Bakura followed her gaze and winced too.
"I'm so sorry. It's just that I don't allow anyone who's seen me to live. It's hard to go anywhere uncovered since I have this prominent scar," he pointed at the right side of his face and Celestia saw a cross-shaped mark.
"I understand. It doesn't hurt much..." her voice trailed off.
"I wouldn't know you at all unless you called me Kage," he confessed. "I sort of forgot about you. It's hard to remember someone you haven't seen for two years; especially if you only saw the person's face by fire and moonlight."
"So...King of Thieves, huh?" Celestia asked. "I thought you'd choose to follow a different path than your ancestors."
"This is the only way I'll be able to fulfill my vow to make them pay," his face darkened at the thought.
"You aren't going to be able to get to the Pharaoh like this. People know you and aren't likely to let you in the palace." He shook his head.
"Celestia, don't you know? The Pharaoh died two months ago and his son Atem's coronation is tomorrow at noon. My target's Atem and all the holders of the Millennium Items."
So that's why Malik thought he'd look for me in Memphis! Celestia realized.
"You're not going, are you?" Bakura read her face easily.
"I have a problem with big crowds," she said.
"What's the real problem?" he asked.
"There's a psycho killer on the loose who wants to kill me for my power and he'll be in Memphis."
"And?"
"My father who tried to kill me at birth will be part of the coronation."
"And?" Celestia stifled a sigh. She couldn't tell him about Seth! He was a thief!
I'm such a sucker, she decided.
"My twin brother Seth is the Pharaoh's cousin and he's one of the seven who hold Millennium Items."
"So that's why you wear a veil," Bakura mused.
"Yes," she sighed.
"Come with me," he said suddenly.
"What?"
"They won't try something with me around," he explained.
"Low profile, remember?" Celestia pointed out.
"That doesn't mean that I have to keep my skills under wraps, too," he thought for a moment. "And it would be one step closer to paying my debt to you."
"What debt?" Celestia asked, puzzled.
"You gave me a way to get out of Kuruelna alive. You also buried my people, not to mention gave them a proper ceremony. I still have a sense of honor."
"As far as I'm concerned, there is no debt, but I guess I've earned a working vacation. I'll go with you." She eyed Bakura. "Don't try anything funny."
"I won't. What kind of man do you think I am?"
"A thief," she mounted her horse. "That's what you are."
It was early morning on the day of the coronation and the city of Memphis was already packed with Egyptians eager to see their new Pharaoh. However, their new Pharaoh wasn't so eager to see them.
"Just calm down, Atem-and stop looking out the balcony!" Seth told his cousin and friend. Atem walked back to him and sighed.
"I can't stop thinking about it, Seth." He rubbed his neck anxiously.
"What could be easier? You ride slowly up Main Street, wave to all the peasants and step onto the platform. Father and I will do the rest, so what are you stressing over?"
"Easy for you to say. You're not the one who everyone's expectations are imposed. You're going to be in the background while I'm in the spotlight. Seth, you just don't understand that being a Crown Prince soon to be Pharaoh is pressuring!" Seth didn't say anything but tossed a cloak at him. Atem raised his eyebrows.
"Is this part of my outfit?" he asked, holding up the dingy cloak. "I think we could afford something better than that considering all the taxes we collect."
"The procession won't start until an hour before noon. That gives us...two hours for you to meet the ones you're so scared of," Seth said.
"I'm not scared of them!" Atem protested. "I'm just apprehensive. They are expecting another Pharaoh like my father and no one could measure up to him."
"You're going to exceed what he did in his lifetime. Just come along," Seth said. Atem sighed and put on his cloak.
"I don't know why I always go along with your crazy schemes," he muttered. "Where's your cloak?"
"I don't need one. People remember the headdress and the robes but they don't know my face," the priest explained, taking off his adornment, revealing a simple traveler's outfit underneath. They started down the stairs and passed by a group of nobles. Atem noticed Seth's face take on an expression of disdain that didn't disappear until they were in the city.
"What was that about?" he asked.
"Nothing," Seth shrugged. "I don't know what you're talking about."
"Back there with the nobles," Atem said. "Why don't you like them?"
Seth sighed. "I don't like the way they all scheme for power and set their daughters after me. It's creepy and rude and I dislike it. You are one of the only nobles I tolerate."
"Any peasants you 'tolerate'?"
"Definitely not." Seth stopped and turned toward him. "But there is one who's in-between."
"And?" Atem probed. Seth started walking.
"And I don't tolerate the person. In fact, I don't know whether it's hate or indifference I feel towards her-," he stopped realizing that he had said too much.
"Is she that girl you said was a Shadow Realm Goddess priestess who you couldn't beat every time at a duel?" Atem asked.
"Well, yes," Seth admitted. Atem smiled with glee. It was hard for even him to beat Seth every time. That didn't mean that he lost at all, though.
"So, what happened?"
"I never heard from her again. I didn't expect anything like that, but it sort of hurt me. You know, she was the first person I told about my mother's death at the temple. She just made a joke regarding to my mother's mental health when I said she told me I had a twin sister. Sometimes I regret it."
"What did you do?" Atem asked. He knew that his mother was a dangerous subject to talk about, much less make fun of.
"I started fighting with her. The weird thing was, she didn't use most of her ability. I knew that she could defend herself better; but in the end, it was she who got hurt. Almost like she was afraid to hurt me."
Interesting, Atem thought, and changed the subject. "So, what happened with your search for that mysterious twin sister of yours?"
"Nothing. That's it. I would have thought she was dead a long time ago, but my mother insisted she was alive. She said it was her intuition or something."
"Don't worry, you'll find her someday." Atem reassured him.
"Thanks. Let's go into that inn for a drink, why don't we?" Seth pointed and they entered the building.
"This is such a beautiful city!" Celestia exclaimed. "Why didn't I come here before?"
"Malik, Akenadin and most of all, Seth," Bakura answered. Celestia had told him about her situation while they were traveling.
"Bakura-," Celestia began but he silenced her with a look and glanced around to make sure no one had heard.
"One rule: don't call me that," he said in a soft voice. "Memphis is one of the best thief havens, yes, but its guards are also everywhere and they offer large rewards for captured thieves. This is one of the places where I'm most wanted, so call me Kage while I'm here."
"Sorry," she apologized. "I forgot."
"What were you saying before?" he asked.
"I think we should go somewhere else," she said, darting a glance at the crowd surrounding them. "I've never been to Memphis, and, since I'm the Lady Veil who's never gone to this city, people are going to wonder." Bakura didn't argue but guided her to a door and entered.
"This is a good inn for keeping a low profile," he said and sat at a vacant table. Celestia followed. "Hey, Espa! Get us a drink, will you?" he shouted at the bartender.
"I won't even ask how you know him," Celestia muttered.
"Don't worry, nothing illegal." Espa brought over two cups filled with some dubious liquid and nodded to them.
"Got yourself another lady, huh?" he laughed and went back.
"Another lady?" Celestia asked. "Never mind." She looked down at her cup and shivered, disgusted. Bakura was already downing his. Celestia looked around the building idly and her eyes widened. She poked Bakura sharply and he almost spat out his drink.
"What?" he hissed at her.
"My brother's at the next table over!" she answered. Bakura turned to look but Celestia yanked his cloak. "Don't look!"
"How am I supposed to know what he looks like, then?" he asked.
"You're not supposed to. Kage, we have to get out of here!" she tried to get up but Kage stopped her.
"That'll look more suspicious, Cel-," she silenced him with a spell.
"One rule: don't use that name!" she said warningly. He nodded and pointed to his mouth. She undid the spell.
"Just stay cool and he won't notice you," Bakura advised.
Seth and Atem, however, were having a different conversation.
"Atem, look to the side," Seth said.
"Isn't that Lady Veil?" he asked.
"She never comes to Memphis," Seth said, "but she fits the description."
"Seth, Lady Veil is the same type of priestess as your friend is. She's bound to know where she is!" He started to rise but his friend held him back.
"Are you crazy?" Seth hissed. "You can't just walk up to a complete stranger and ask her if she knows another complete stranger!"
"If she's Lady Veil, then she has to know with all the traveling she does."
"But-."
"I'm going! Just stay here." He stood up and started walking over to their table.
"Kage, his friend is coming over here!" Celestia hissed to her friend.
"Stay calm."
"Excuse me," Atem said, standing in front of their table. "I noticed that you fit the description of a certain Lady Veil and was wondering if you were her." Celestia decided to act cold and looked at him icily.
"Lady Veil is not the only one who wears a veil and a head cloth," she said coolly. "Is there a rule that she can be the only wearer? I'm not her, and no, I can't help you with any exorcisms or magic workings. She does them only for the money,"
"Sorry for bothering you, then," Atem said, deeply offended. He held the famed priestess with great respect and didn't like her being slandered.
"What did she say?" Seth asked.
"She said sorry, but no," Atem shortened her answer.
"We should be getting back to the palace anyway," he said, disappointed but trying to hide it. After they left, Celestia began to relax.
"That was cold," Bakura noted.
"I had to be. I can't just tell him that I am she, even though I really am. It would complicate things." Suddenly a white petal fluttered onto the table. Celestia stared at it then said, "I appreciate everything you've done for me, Kage, but I have to go." She stood up.
"Why?" he asked, standing up as well.
"She calls me," Celestia answered, pointing at the petal on the table. Bakura looked at it and when he looked back, she was gone.
"Didn't go like you planned, did it?" Espa called from the bar. Bakura glared at him and he gulped. "Shutting up now."
"Mas-Ne-Ra, you better have a good explanation for calling me all the way up here!" Celestia said, annoyed. She was standing on thin air thousands of feet above Memphis, glaring at her adopted mother.
"You are going to direct my entrance," she announced.
"What?"
"I have to bless the Pharaoh and obviously, I can't be distracted by making all sorts of special effects in the sky. That's where you come in," Mas-Ne- Ra beamed.
"But-," she tried to protest.
"You have a duty to me as my priestess," the goddess reminded her warningly. Celestia sighed and frowned.
"Oh all right!" she yelled, annoyed at her.
"Good. When red sparks appear in front of you, start." She disappeared.
"Just perfect," Celestia muttered. "I'm stuck up here while she goes gallivanting off to who knows where." She thought for a moment and then smiled. "But that doesn't matter I can't have a good time!"
She waved a hand in front of her and an image of the procession scene began. "Let the fun begin!"
Yes, I'm an evil authoress, giving you a cliffhanger. I hope you liked the extra long chapter, though.
Thanks to:
Abea-red
Oblivavation
Roae
Red
Elusia
jinx
seraphine
surfergurl16
momijigirl
You really brightened my day! Thanks a LOT and please keep reviewing!
Disclaimer: Don't own Yu-Gi-Oh, Kazuki Takahashi does.
