Title: The Prize At The End Was Worth It
Author: Phoenix87
Rating: PG-13, T
Pairing: Seto/Yami (although it's interchangeable)
Spoilers: None
Warnings: Creative use of shadow powers, Egypt scenes following neither the show nor the manga. (I haven't seen them)
Disclaimers: opens up a fortune cookie, it reads: Yu-gi-oh does not belong to me. woh…eerie
Summary: A race from a mad man ends up dragging Yami and Seto threw the past, present, and into the future... a future in which they just might end up in each other's arms.
Status: Completed 8/9
Chapter 8
"Now who said I wanted the pharaoh?"
Spinning Seto around he hocked his arm around the other's neck pressing the CEO against him tightly. "I've always had a thing for brunets"
"What? Let Me GO!" Seto yelled trying to pry the arm away from his neck.
"Ohhh." He grabbed Seto's chin with his free hand and twisted his head toward him, "Please struggle some more."
"You bastard!" Yami exclaimed. "You were after Seto the whole time weren't you?"
"Who wouldn't be after such a fine example of man?" the stalker replied stroking the brunet's cheek with his thumb.
"If you don't let me go I'll kill you!"
"Don't you dare touch him like that!" they yelled at the same time.
The man chuckled, only registering Yami's retort.
"Are you going to try to stop me?"
"Yes I will."
"How adorable."
Yami narrowed his eyes and rushed at the man throwing a fist towards his face. In return the stalker just let go of Seto's chin, grabbed Yami's fist and tossed him across the room. Seto starred in horror as Yami hit the carpet and rolled to a stop.
"Yami! If you've hurt him I'll-" Seto screamed before he was cut off by the arm tightening around his neck.
"Don't worry I'll make you forget all about him."
"When I get my hands on you-!" Seto choked out.
The man laughed again.
"Such defiance of everything…such a powerful will, is it any wonder why I was so attracted to you?" he replied in a whisper as he began to drag Seto out of the room. Where ever they were going Seto knew it wasn't good for him. He planted his feet on the floor and concentrated all his weight he had on not moving.
"You only further prove my point." His tormenter whispered in his ear.
Seto threw his head back and slammed it into the man's temple. He was surprised when the response he received was a hearty laugh.
"That almost hurt, but honestly I don't have time for this." He shoved Seto away from him for a spilt second before wrapping his arm around the brunet's waist and lifting the young man's feet from the ground. Seto let out a yell of frustration and began to kick his legs about furiously.
"Don't waste your energy, you can't fight me. I'm stronger then you. What is that phrase I always hear? Don't judge a book by it's cover?"
"I don't know what you are, but I bet you bleed!" Seto reached down, snagged a pen off his secretary's desk and plunged it into the arm that held his waist. The man let out a yelp of surprise and dropped the brunet. Seto landed on his feet and took off toward Yami. He had to collect the shorter duelist and get out of there. Unfortunately he didn't get to far, he felt a hand grasp his shoulder and slam him against the wall nearest to them. The face of his tormenter was shoved into his.
"That hasn't happened to me in a long time…for someone to actually draw blood." He then held up his arm and slowly drew out the pen in front of Seto's face. Afterwards he simply threw it over his shoulder. "I'm impressed…" he was looking at the brunet lustfully now, "I don't think I can wait much longer" he dragged his hand down Seto's cheek, "Your so soft…"
"You're completely insane."
"And you're cornered."
Seto looked around at his surroundings. The psycho had a firm grip on his wrist and had pushed his back up against the wall. What was he going to do? For the first time in his life he had no idea.
Things happened fast in those few moments. One second he was standing right next to Seto, and the next he's flying across the Kaiba Corp lobby. But the throbbing in his head wasn't what he was peeved about, this guy had not only crossed the line by grabbing Seto, he cleared it by six city blocks. Now the bastard was going to go face to face with one royally piss-off pharaoh. He pulled himself to his feet just in time to see the brunet slam his head into the stalkers- and just as hard- the final vision hit him. The others came gradually and shifted him from one time to the other; maybe this one sensed the urgency. Whatever the reason, suddenly he was thrown head first into the past. The questions had to be answered; he didn't have time to mess around.
Yami burst threw the door to his chambers furry clearly plastered on his face. His hands were gripped into fists at his sides, his jaw was set in a tight clench, and his flaming red eyes never wavered from their set direction. Servants fled at the sight of him! Rarely had the pharaoh ever gotten this upset, his robs fluttered past, whipping madly around his body from the speed of his walk. Only one voice was brave enough to confront him.
"Yami what's wrong with you now?"
The pharaoh whirled around ready to verbally attack the person who dared to interrupt his rampage, but seeing the face of his interrupter he lost most of the anger. He couldn't yell at that person, so instead he settled for sighing and running a hand down his frustrated face.
"I asked for the charts on the predicted Nile overflow two days ago. It was his only assignment." The other nodded sympathetically. "We need those scrolls to know how many people might need to be evacuated from the river side."
"If he doesn't have it done by today I'll do it. Don't worry."
"You shouldn't have to do it!" Yami cried his anger reenergized, "If he doesn't shape up and stop looking at-" The pharaoh cut himself off taking a deep breath. The young man beside him laughed quietly as he walked behind him wrapping two strong arms around Yami's waist and dropping his chin on the other's shoulder.
"You're so cute when you're angry."
"Seto! This is important!"
"Ah-huh."
His blue-eyed companion mumbled before deciding his time was better spent planting soft kisses down the pharaoh neck.
"Your ruining-" he sighed in spite of himself, "Ruining my anger fit."
"Really?" His high priest replied innocently not bothering to remove his mouth from Yami's neck, who shivered in response.
Steps echoed down the hall, forcing them to separate. They had decided to keep the relationship secret as long as possible- that way they wouldn't get the speeches on how 'improper' it is for the pharaoh to be romantically involved with one of his priests.
"And I'll need that in two days." Yami told Seto as the traveler pasted.
"Yes sir." The brunet replied, "Are there any more orders?"
"One more, get over here and kiss me."
"I can handle that."
Making sure the cost was clear Seto wrapped an arm around Yami's waist drawing them closer together. Then pressed his lips against the pharaoh's with just the right mix of pressure and gentleness that drove Yami crazy. He kissed back blissfully bringing his arm around Seto's neck and fisting some of the priest's hair between his fingers. Seto began to drag his hand down Yami's spine teasingly slowly inching toward the…
'Uh-oh' Yami thought, if this kept up they'd never make it to work, which really wouldn't be so bad except for the fact that the other priests would come looking for them. So regretfully he broke the kiss.
"Egypt can't run it's self." Seto gave him a look that can best be described as a pout. "Go in first." Yami continued
"Wouldn't it make more sense for the pharaoh to go in first?"
"Yes, but this way I get to look at your butt."
"Well what if I want to look at your butt?"
"Then I'll play the 'I'm the pharaoh and you have to do as I say' card."
"You already played that one last night remember?"
Yami paused their banter to remember that…he smiled biting his bottom lip.
"That was fun, but I'm still the pharaoh, and I can use it as many times as I want."
"Full scale cheating." Seto stated but started walking anyway. Yami tilted his head to the side and admired the view. His priest's robs moved gracefully as Seto moved, wrapping themselves around the brunet and the Millennium Rod that was held securely in the belt around his waist. It shinned brilliantly every now and then when light from the window reflected off it. Yami thought the sight was like a living portrait. Then the high priest disappeared from sight and into the throne room. Yami waited a few extra moments before entering himself. As soon as his presence was known all occupants of the room bowed their heads in respectful greeting. He nodded to them, of course making sure to lock eyes with a certain cobalt-eyed priest, then he sat down in his big chair, and Seto went to his table behind the throne to continue his work. Next came the morning update. He listened as one of his advisors told him of the affairs, coming celebrations, and general welfare of the country. They were enjoying a calm and stability for once. It seemed the Gods were smiling on Egypt. The advisor grinned when Yami gave him a pleased head nod and scurried away. Unfortunately now Yami didn't have any distractions; he couldn't put if off any longer. Turning to the nearest servant he ordered:
"Find Malus and bring him to me."
"At once your highness."
A heavy silence was hanging in the air. The only nose was the scratching sound of Seto scribbling on his scrolls. Slowly the servant returned with the dark-haired grayed eyed man he had requested. The man bowed as was required, but anyone could tell there was no respect in the action.
"You summoned me my Pharaoh?"
"Where are the papers I asked for?" Yami responded straight to the point.
"I have not yet completed them."
"I gave you ample time to complete this task Malus. What I ask of you I expect to be done! I've lost count now of the number of late or poorly constructed assignment you've given me. I think I've been more then kind in response, but I can only stand so much-" Yami cut off. Malus wasn't even paying attention, wasn't even looking at him. Almost, his head was still pointed in his direction, but the eyes, filled with some disconcerting emotion, were off to the side. Following the gaze he found they rested on Seto behind him. Seto, of course, was totally oblivious to the conversation wrapped up in his work. Yami's former rage began to bubble inside him once again; he slammed his fists down on the side of his throne and yelled:
"MALUS!"
-All noise stopped- Even Seto looked at him in surprise. Malus's eyes snapped back to him at once.
"You will come with me NOW." Yami rose from his chair and stormed out the door. He didn't want the whole room to hear the next lecture. Malus followed behind him sheepishly. When they were both out of the room Yami spun on him.
"Maybe you could get more work done if you weren't staring at High Priest Seto all the time, and yes, just now wasn't the first time I've seen you!"
Yami was livid now. This man who showed him more disrespect then anyone, who never got his job done, who was persistently a pain in the Pharaoh's side, was constantly watching his lover! And with that look in his eyes…what was it? Longing? Yearning? Lust? Yami didn't really care. He didn't like it. Seto, bless his heart, didn't have the slightest clue. Although, Yami had to admit, it was adorable that someone so smart about the ways of the world could be so unaware to just how astonishing beautiful they are.
"I don't think you're being fair" Malus challenged
"I think I'm being more then fair by not throwing you out of here this very instant! From now on you are forbidden to look at Seto except when he is talking to you! Do you understand!"
"NO, I don't understand!" Why is it any of your business who I look at?" Malus snapped back, before quickly adding, "Although I don't mean to question your judgment my Pharaoh." Empty words.
"You will not. Because if you do- you're gone, and I don't care what happens to you afterwards. This isn't a request"
Malus glared at him.
"Understood."
"GO. Anywhere as long as it's out of my sight."
With one last scowl Malus stormed off. Yami closed his eyes for moment calming himself before he re-entered the throne room. Curious glances followed him, but he did nothing to answer them. Instead he plopped down in his chair, grabbed up some work and went to distracting himself. But I wasn't long till he felt a warm hand on his shoulder, looking up he meet Seto's questioning crystal eyes.
"What happened?"
"It's nothing Seto, don't sorry about it."
"If something upset you this much I don't think it's nothing."
"It's been taken care of." Yami raised his hand to lie on top of Seto's and squeezed the priest's hand reassuringly. "Really." Some of the brunets be anxiety was removed, enough so he let the situation rest.
"Do you need me to do those papers?" Seto asked changing subject
"Please."
Seto nodded
"I'll have to go get my maps of the river" He said more to himself then anyone and left the room.
Yami smiled- then stopped. As the doors continued to swing from the thrust Seto had given them he saw Malus start to follow the priest. Malus had obeyed his orders for what, 10 minutes! Yami would see to this personally. Rising from his chair he stealthily followed, but as he neared he got a different idea; he might as well wait and see what happens. It would be good to know just how obsessed Malus is with Seto. So he slipped into the shadows. There wasn't a door on the map room, so Yami could clearly see both Malus and Seto. Seto was sitting at a table in the room, head down staring at a map. Malus knocked lightly on the side of the wall to catch his attention. The priest's eyes glanced up only to see who it was before they went back to the map.
"Yes Malus?" He asked dryly.
Malus took this as an invitation in and stepped before the table.
"I need to talk to you."
Seto sighed
"Yes, I'm doing the Nile work for you. Get over it." The brunet responded with out glancing up. Malus smirked, then, in a bold move, he reached across the table took Seto's chin in his hand and lifted the others head to make the priest look at him.
"That wasn't what I wanted to talk to you about." The look of surprise on Seto's face would have, at any other time, been enough to send Yami into laughter. "How about you come with me away from this place?" Malus continued
"What!" Seto cried pulling away from the other man and standing up in one swift movement. Malus was around the table and facing him in a split second, in-between the table and a wall.
"I have some land north of here, it's large, has animals, crops, great view and-" he paused to quickly glance Seto over head to toe, "a big bed."
"I decline." The brunet snapped coldly and turned to leave, but Malus snatched his wrist twisting Seto back to face him.
"You didn't even take proper time to consider it." He said staring down at the other with his height advantage.
"I don't need it, now let go of my wrist!" Seto's free hand went instinctively to his waist- to the Millennium Rod. Then his eyes grew wide: it wasn't there.
"Oops missing something?" Malus said cockily, "Must have left it in the throne room again hum?"
Yami winced. Malus was right. And it wasn't the first time Seto had done that. It happened quiet often actually. When the priest worked in the throne room he usually took the Rod out of his belt so it wouldn't poke him, then he'd get distracted and move elsewhere. It wasn't like he had to worry about anyone stealing it.
(A/N: Hark! Do I hear readers yelling 'plot-hole!'? Well lets just say Bakura hasn't come around yet K? Pre-Bakura)
"I don't need it to take care of you!" Seto yelled twisting out of Malus's grasp then punched him square in the jaw. Malus stumbled back a pace bringing a hand to his cheek gingerly.
"Fortunately for you, I don't give up so easily." He pushed the desk into the wall behind Seto blocking off that escape route. Then stepping back up to the brunet, Malus swiftly took hold of the back of Seto's neck and pulled him forward into a lip-crushing kiss. The priest immediately began struggling and beating his fists against Malus's chest. When he had finally pulled himself free he backhanded Malus across the face so hard that it practically echoed.
"Don't you EVER touch me AGAIN!" Seto hollered
"But I love the feeling of your body pressed against mine." Malus said undeterred
That was about all Yami could handle. He stormed into the room.
"Malus get away from him this instant!" Malus twirled around enraged, Seto's face flooded with relief.
"No."
"I am the Pharaoh of Egypt and you WILL do as I command. I command you get away from him!"
"Guess what? I don't recognize you 'Pharaoh' and I-" he was cut of as Seto took hold of the table and slammed it into him. Even while falling to the ground Malus got a good look as Seto crossed over to the pharaoh, who in return, took his priest's hand and intertwined their fingers. "Of course." Malus spat once he was on his feet again. "That's why you're so protective of him Pharaoh; he's yours."
"I wasn't aware I've become property." Seto snapped.
"You'll be leaving now." Yami ordered ignoring Malus's comment.
"Make me."
"Don't tempt me." A glow from the puzzle appeared and shinned on Yami's face. Malus looked down realizing what trouble he was now in. "You can either leave now of your own accord and NEVER come back," Yami fingered his puzzle. "or never do anything of your own accord ever again."
Malus narrowed his eyes,
"You win for now 'My Pharaoh' but this isn't done!" With that he rushed past them and out the door.
Seto sighed heavily from beside him. Bring their joined hand up to his mouth Yami kissed his priest's hand gently.
" I assume this was what the hall conversation was about?" Seto asked, Yami nodded a 'yes'
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"I thought I had it taken care of, besides what were you suppose to do? Stop being so gorgeous?"
"That would be very difficult."
Yami laughed then started to pull his love from the room.
"Come on I'm giving you the rest of the day off…and I'm coming too."
For a week they thought that Yami's threat had worked, there wasn't a sign of Malus. All of the guards had been notified that the gray eye-ed man was not allowed in the palace and Yami insisted that Seto stay with him in the Pharaoh's chambers –you know- for his own protection. The high priest readily agreed. It was one such morning when Yami lifted his head from Seto's bare chest, which he found much more comfortable then any pillow, that he had a terrible feeling in the pit of his stomach. Today would be different. He didn't know how, he didn't know when: but it would be. He wiggled out from Seto's protective arm and planted a soft kiss on his still sleeping form. Crossing the room he dressed slowly as if the day would follow his lead, staring at his priest, who was just half covered in the soft sheets. He went back to the bed, sat next to Seto, and shook him gently.
"Time to get up love."
The brunet responded by grunting, rolling over and, finally, pulling the sheets up over his head. Yami smirked. Okay then, he picked up part of the sheet and climbed back into the soft bed under them, then he cuddled up against his high priest.
"AH!" Seto exclaimed rolling away instinctively, "Yami you're jewelry is freezing!"
"Is it?" he moved in again. Seto tried to roll away further, but in his groggy state, he didn't realize he'd run out of bed until he was on the floor, dragging most of the sheets with him. Yami couldn't help it; he burst out laughing. The brunets cheeks flushed in embarrassment.
"Well, I'm glad you find my misfortune so entertaining." Seto said gathering the sheets around his middle as he stood up. Yami smirked again, then, after shuffling over the rest of the bed, grabbed the linen around his lover's waist pulling the other down to meet his lips.
"Was that an apology?"
"Of course not. I love seeing you flustered; it's adorable. I'd do it again."
"I'm such a lucky guy."
They were interrupted from a sudden pounding on the door
"Your majesty! Is everything alright in there?" It was one of his advisors. Uh oh.
"I'm fine!" Yami called hoping that they'd, for once, take his word on it.
"With all due respect Sir, I'd like to check things out. We heard a commotion."
"Just a minute then while I finish dressing." He turned to his bedmate
"Seto!" He whispered "under the bed!"
"You're kidding me. You're the Pharaoh and you're actually hiding from those beneath you?"
"Do you really want to listen to a long drawn out lecture? Their already suspicious."
"Your majesty!"
"Seto!"
"I'm going!"
Once Seto was hidden, Yami threw open his door in frustration. The advisor stuck his head in the door and did a visual sweep of the chambers. Yami could tell the man was disappointed that he couldn't detect anything, or anyone, inside.
"Satisfactory?" The Pharaoh asked dully.
"Yes, your majesty. Now if you'd please accompany me to the throne room were a group of village children are waiting…"
And, before the he could protest, Yami was dragged out of his own room.
Seto had strolled in at some point during the children's visit. He hadn't said anything, but whether that was because he was upset or just didn't want to be around the young ones, the Pharaoh didn't know. He desperately wanted to talk to the brunet, but he was right in the middle of a story.
"…and then my mother spilled the jelly everywhere! A whole jar. I though it was funny, but mother yelled at me when I laughed. I don't think that was nice. Do you?" the young boy gave a light gasp. "Could you order her to apologize to me?"
Yami prevented himself from rubbing his forehead in frustration. This was getting to be a bit much.
"I think you should listen to your mother. Now I have to get back to work, my advisor will lead you out." He smiled as an idea for revenge evolved in his mind. "In-fact he enjoys children so much, he's agreed to take you all on a tour to the gardening fields before he personally brings you home."
The young ones cheered loudly. The advisor paled.
"But…but your majesty-"
"Have fun." Yami leaned back into his throne and waved a hand to dismiss them. He took great pleasure in the last pleading look the intruding advisor threw him as the kids jumped on and around him in their excitement.
"That was cruel."
Turning around he was greeted with the sight of Seto standing beside his throne smirking at him.
"He deserved it. Interrupting us like that. So, um, how long did you stay under the bed?"
"Long enough to be attacked by several dust balls."
He must have had a very guilty look on his face because his priest suddenly grew serious. Seto leaned over so they could whisper.
"It's not your fault, don't even think it. Besides do you really think I'd let something like dust affect me?"
"Of course not love, it's just annoying that 'we' have to be this big secret." Glancing around quickly he grabbed a fistful of the priest's robs and pulled him close to whisper in his ear. "Maybe next time we should just show them what they except to see? Hum?" he teased. The high priests eyes widened by a fractional amount accompanied by a quick burst of laugher as he shook his head. He opened his mouth to respond when the sound of racing footsteps filled the high vaulted room. Seto pulled away as their attention left each other, instead, focusing on the door anxiously. A guard burst threw the door with enough force to almost crack the walls.
"My Pharaoh" he cried breathlessly, "He's here. We were unable to stop him."
Yami's expression grew cold instantly as he rose from his chair.
"Get the rest of the priests in here NOW!"
The guard nodded and fled to gather the other item holders. Seto moved to stand close as the tense seconds ticked by. Yami glanced at the other quickly gathering the brunet's hand into his, though the act was hidden behind their robs. The priest gave him a slight smile and squeezed the hand gently. They'd face it together. The Pharaoh's other hand drifted to rest on his puzzle and they kept up their watch of the door, but the door wasn't used. With a rumble that was felt yards away, the south wall exploded. Bits of stonewall flew threw the air and landed creating a haze of rubble-produced smoke, which the guards rushed forward into determined to protect their pharaoh. Unfortunately as soon as they entered the cloud of gray they were flung out.
"You send these low mortals to fight your battle Pharaoh? Are you afraid to face me yourself?" emerging from the smoke to stop in front of the pharaoh, Malus kept that smug expression. "I always get what I want."
"Not this time."
As the words left his mouth one of the palace's strongest guards thrust a sward into Malus's midsection.
He laughed
"What the-?" Yami took a step back, dragging a speechless Seto with him.
Malus spun around, blade still sticking from his body, grabbed the guard by the neck and squeezed. The snap of the bones practically reverberated off the walls, and Yami's eyes followed the body of the guard down to the floor were it landed with a heavy thud.
"Ra…" he heard Seto breath out.
Turning back to them, Malus grabbed the handle at his back and slowly pulled the sward from his body. He looked at the bloody weapon with little interest before simply letting it fall to the floor next to the fallen guard.
"That tickled."
"What did you do to yourself?" Yami asked, "You…your"
"Not human? No I'm much more then that now 'my pharaoh' I'm more then you can ever be." He shifted his eyes towards Seto, "Last time I asked, you do not have that luxury this time around. Your mine."
"I belong only to myself." sapphire eyes narrowed dangerously
"We'll see how long that attitude lasts." He took a step toward the priest who, in return, plucked the Millennium Rod from his waist and shot a bright ray of light at the gray-eyed man. But, instead of sailing across the room like he should have, the man lifted his hands before him blocking the blow and only sliding back a few feet. Seto raised an eyebrow.
"That shouldn't have happened." He stated
"Together then." Yami suggested giving their joined hands a squeeze. Seto nodded. The light from their items burst threw the gold and mingled together in a powerful ray concentrated on the man before them. This time Malus raised his hand with a smirk and threw magic right back at them. Caught off guard the two flew backward landing roughly on the marble floor.
"I'm just full of surprises." Malus commented as he leisurely strolled over to the downed Egyptians. Yami's head was spinning from the impact of the floor, but he could still hear the vibrations of the gray-eyed man's footsteps on the ground. Beside him Seto stirred.
"That…that felt like shadow magic."
"Because it was." Yami replied darkly
"How is that possible? Only item holders can wield that sort of power!" Seto exclaimed helping the pharaoh to his feet.
"He's done something to himself. The fool. I wonder what price he paid for his power?"
Malus laughed.
"It's amazing what your sole will get you. All I had to do was get the ear of one greedy god and everything was handed to me on a silver platter. Not only can I manipulate the shadow powers with out the need of your cumbersome items, no weapon can't kill me."
"You gave away your sole? How do you expect to travel to the afterlife now?" Yami exclaimed
(A/N: I have no idea about Egyptian Religious Customs, so I'm using a 'sold his soul to the devil' sort of thing here. Please bare with me. I know there wasn't a 'Devil' in Egypt. If the historic incorrectness bothers you that much, feel free to stop reading. )
"Oh, you care? I'm so touched Pharaoh although, if I were you, I wouldn't be worrying about my price to pay when you should be thinking about yours." He slowly began circling the two, "As an extended bonus I can do this" he picked up a fallen stone and crushed it to dust in his hands. "Oh and this is really fun" he lifted his feet from the ground, completely from the ground. "And they compare YOU to Horus. When who's the one who can fly?"
"The more they give you the more they will make you suffer! Don't you see?" Yami felt like slapping him. "You're an ignorant fool. It will be your downfall."
"I doubt it. Your downfall is all I care about right now anyway. Well, it's almost all I care about." He turned to Seto, "Have I proven yet that I'm superior to the pharaoh in every way? I have the power now, what can he offer you that I can't?"
The priest snorted
"That's a long list."
Malus's eyes narrowed
"The hard way it is. Excuse us Pharaoh" He blasted Yami across the room with a flick of his palm.
"Yami!" Seto yelled and tried to assist Yami, but he didn't get far. Malus grabbed him by the wrist and yanked them close. To close " Forget about him! You'll learn to love me."
"Doubtful." The priest still had the Millennium Rod, he knew the magic was useless, but it still had the razor sharp blades on each side. So with his free hand he slashed the gray-eyed man across the chest. The fabric on Malus's shirt ripped but the skin healed instantly.
"Care to try again?" Malus said with a smirk, "I love it when you fight me."
"Your sick you know that?"
"Oh, come now Seto don't be like that." He reached out, with the hand that wasn't gripping Seto's wrist, and cupped the priest's cheek. "Stop this denial. We both know that you're only attracted to power, that's why you fell for the Pharaoh, but I can give you so much more. Just give in. You'll find you'll like it."
"You think you know me so well," Seto scowled pulling away from the hand, "But you know nothing. I don't love Yami for his power! I love him for his kind-ness, and patients and integrity! You don't, and never will, have any of those qualities you sick, obsessed, lost soul!"
Malus stared at him in shock. That wasn't what he expected, shock turned to anger, anger to rage, he grabbed Seto's other wrist and pulled the other flush against his body.
"Then I'll make you submit to me!"
"No." Seto said simply and flung out a leg kneeing the other right in-between the legs. Malus's breath hitched in his throat as he automatically hunched over.
"Ow…" With Malus's new distraction, Seto twisted away and hit the man over the head with the rod for good measure. "No! Your MINE!" Malus screamed reaching up
"I think you have problems with rejection." Malus turned his head toward the voice, and saw Yami let go of a rope. The rope ran upward as the wooden lamp above him came down. The structure crashed upon the gray-eyed man with a bang. He laughed, and laughed, and laughed until the palace rang with the sound of insanity.
"Did you really think that would have worked?"
"No, I didn't." Yami said smugly, "It was just a distraction."
Malus pushed the wooden wreckage off him.
"What?" as the words left his mouth seven rays of light burst from different areas of the room forming a circle around him; the other priests had finally arrived. The golden circle lifted him up into the air and started to constrict inward towards his middle. "No!" he raised his palms in front of him and tried to fend them off, but it wasn't working. He wasn't powerful enough to overcome all seven items. Yami glared at him, the golden light shinning from his puzzle reflected on his face making his determined expression all the more intimidating.
"Seems you're not as omnipotent as you thought."
"This is not what was promised to me!" Malus was yelling, either to himself or the gods Yami couldn't tell. Maybe both.
"Your defeated Malus. This is over." Nodding at the other item holders they let the circle enter the traitors body. His body began to glow as the light filled every fiber of his body. Face twisted in pain Malus returned the glare.
"No…it's not."
And the man's body exploded in a shower of yellow sparks that rained down on the floor around them.
Yami's eyes flew open.
Malus.