A/N I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh...
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Atemu and Safiya made their way into the gathering crowd, hand in hand. With smiles on their faces, the Pharaoh and Queen got to know the people who served them and lived under their rule. They spoke with the people, ate with the people, and even danced with the people.
"Come on Atemu, please? You're Pharaoh. No one is going to laugh at you, and if they do, you can just banish them." Safiya laughed as she grabbed Atemu's arm and tried to drag him towards the dancing area.
"Have you ever seen me dance?" He pulled against her, trying to avoid dancing at all costs. "It's not a pretty sight. And I don't want my people to lose all respect for me. That would not be good."
"Oh, get over yourself. The people love you and you'll be fine." She let go of his arm and placed her hands on her hips. "And if you don't dance with me, I'll have to find a different dance partner." And with that, she left Atemu's side and headed toward the music.
"May Ra place a curse upon your head," he half-heartedly muttered under his breath as he went off to join his wife.
Atemu turned out to be a decent dancer, and for hours, he and Safiya put on a show for the people. They even set up large organized dances where the people switched partners and danced as a group. There were many women who wanted nothing more than to dance with their handsome Pharaoh, and there were just as many if not more men who wanted to spend time with their beautiful Queen.
When the two were finally reunited, both were tired and out of breath. "Now that wasn't so bad, was it?" Safiya asked, trying to catch her breath.
"Not at all. But that's more exercise than I've had in a long time." He was equally out of breath, and ready to retire from dancing. "How about we sit for a while?"
"Sounds like an excellent idea."
Atemu slid his arm around her waist and guided her toward two large marble seats that were elevated above the gathering by a series of steps. They maneuvered around groups people until finally, they reached their seats. Sitting together, they watched their people with laughter in their eyes and smiles on their faces. Many came up to personally greet their Pharaoh and Queen and congratulate them, while others remained at a distance, content to simply partake in the food and festivities.
As day gave way to evening, the palace guards lit torches around the perimeter of the common, allowing the festivities to continue on into the night. Atemu and Safiya had remained seated above the gathering taking in the sights and sounds of their people, and as they were watching the celebration, a servant came up to them and offered them each a glass of wine.
"Excuse me, my Pharaoh. Would you and the Queen care for some desheret?"
"Oh, Atemu. Desheret is my favorite out of all of the palace wines. I'm glad to see that you spared no expense and served it tonight." Atemu took two glasses from the servant and offered one to Safiya, who took it eagerly. She sipped it slowly, savoring the taste of fruits, herbs, and spices.
After giving Safiya a few moments to enjoy the ambrosial liquid, Atemu rose from his seat with his glass in hand and motioned toward the people for silence. Almost instantaneously, a hush fell over the large gathering. He reached for Safiya's hand and pulled her up to stand beside him.
"If I have to address this mad lot," he shouted, "I'm not doing it alone." Laughter rippled across the gathering, Atemu and Safiya included. "My people, we have gathered this night to celebrate the anniversary of my union to Safiya," he raised his glass to his wife, "and the prosperity that I believe was a direct result of said union." The crowd erupted into cheering as Safiya humbly bowed her head before the people. When the crowd calmed a bit, Atemu continued. "Before we continue on with the celebration, I would like to—"
"I'm sorry to be the one to inform you, Pharaoh, but your celebration will not continue." The voice was cold as ice and seemed to echo from everywhere, stilling the hearts of everyone who heard it.
Atemu and Safiya knew that voice all too well. Seth had returned to the palace to fulfill his promise. They both searched the crowd in vain, trying to locate the former high priest.
"Show yourself, Seth!" Atemu angrily shouted into the air while moving to stand in front of Safiya.
"All this time you have forgotten me, and now, all of a sudden, you wish to see me?" His cold voice dripped with sarcasm. "I'm sorry my dear Atemu, but it does not work that way. I am in control now, and you will take orders from me!" With a sudden rush of wind, every flame surrounding the common was extinguished and the gathering was left in darkness. An unnatural silence followed as no one screamed, for fear that they would incur the wrath of the one who defied their pharaoh.
Within a few minutes, the flames were slowly and individually relit, but not by the palace guards. Each flame was an eerie blue that was not hot to the touch, but cold. And just after the last flame was lit, there was a burst of green light directly in front of Atemu and Safiya.
"Seth," growled Atemu. He was still the man Atemu remembered, although he had changed. His complexion was much darker, and his eyes had turned a sinister shade of green. He no longer wore the white, respectable robes of a high priest, but instead, wore a long dark cloak, covering garments just as dark.
"I'm glad to know that you still remember me, my Lord." He bowed dramatically before his former friend and leader, allowing his cloak to envelope the steps on which he stood.
"What have you done?" Atemu looked over the man, sensing pure evil.
"Well, to make a long story short, I mastered the dark magic of the Shadow Realm and I intend to give your people a show. But enough small talk, I've been waiting a whole year for this moment. Let the show begin!"
