Tornado: It's me again. I got an idea for a fic that's set in ancient Egypt, so I'm going to try to run with it.
DT: This fic contains foul language, power-hungry people, and a bitchy pharaoh. You have been forewarned.
Tornado: The only thing that I own is Sheatana and the Blue-eyes Black Dragon.
AN: /blah/= Sheatana speaking to her dragon; \blah\= dragon talking to Sheatana
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Flickering torches lit the long corridor, casting shadows on the walls. The princess of Egypt floated through the maze that was under the palace with ease. Her midnight hair was placed in a tight knot on her head, but two stray strands framed her face. She sensed power radiating, and the source was growing nearer as she walked. Her pale face set off her navy eyes, which shared color with her dragon. A golden flame pendant with a sapphire sphere in the center hung from her slender neck, holding her power.
The princess stepped into a large room with torches lining each wall. Monsters were fighting in the center, and their screams of battle and sorrow crushed against her ears. The rancid smell of death rose in the air, stinging her senses. This was the side of Egypt that no one saw. It was the barbaric side that was the truth behind the country's power, yet some how the world was eluded to the presence of these powerful beings. The girl knew not of how this could ever be civilized. Warfare was the first word to come to mind when she gazed across the field at the destruction before her. These monsters were real, and had real bodies. Their power should not be used for humans' purposes.
A hand lay on her shoulder, and she sighed deeply. Her brother was at one end of the stone arena, and at the other was someone who would never escape the Shadow Realm.
"Seth, make him stop," the princess said desperately.
"My princess, I can't. He's the pharaoh; I am below him," a voice behind her informed.
"This is not what they are meant for. We are supposed to live in peace with them, not use them for destruction. These shadow games have gotten out of hand. We need to stop them."
"The pharaoh will always be the pharaoh. He's too power-hungry for his own good. My princess, please, you should not be here."
"I have a right to go where I wish, Seth. Do not turn me away. I already know that there's a monster inside of my brother."
"Princess, you should return to your chamber. You don't need to see another soul sent to the Shadow Realm."
"That you're right about. Walk me back, Seth."
The pair turned, but another screech of pain reached the princess's ears. Tears fell from her eyes as she extended her stride. The priest was able to stay with her pace until they came onto the main floor of the palace. The princess leaned against the wall, sliding to the floor where sobs escaped the depths of her mind. Tears flowed more consistently down her cheeks as she remembered the cry agony that had sounded through the air. It echoed in the chambers of her mind, staining all pleasant memories she had of those duels. Once she had enjoyed watching the duels, now she could not be in earshot of the screams. She knew too much.
The priest helped her up from the ground, and embraced her. He cast a wary eye, but everyone was attending the duel. It had become such a major event that seeing another human was scarce on these nights. Nothing could ever be important enough to miss one of the pharaoh's duels, but those were commoners. For Seth, keeping the princess happy was the only thing that mattered.
"Come, Sheatana," he whispered using her name. "You must rest."
"Seth, can ask a favor of you?"
"Of course."
"Take me to the top tower, please."
"All right, but keep the noise down."
The couple silently strode to the darkest stairway. No one went up there anymore, it was said to be too dangerous, but for princess Sheatana, it made the perfect place to escape on these dreary nights of bloodshed. There were no windows. Sheatana clung onto the priest as he led the way, praying for his safety. The last step lead to an open roof that looked over the empire. Sheatana went to the very edge of the roof, and looked straight down. The priest stood behind her, ready catch the girl if she happened to fall.
Sheatana took three steps backward, and raised her hand toward the moon. A large, stone tablet rose from the tiles. There was a carving of a dragon that could have been mistaken for it's twin, but there was one difference that the carving could never show.
"Blue-eyes Black Dragon, release yourself!" Sheatana cried.
Low growl filled the surrounding air as the tablet glowed black. A black dragon stood in front of the two; its shocking navy eyes piercing into their souls. Sheatana lowered her hand, holding it out for the dragon to smell. The moonlight bounced off of the dragon's glistening body as its head extended to sniff the outstretched hand. Soon the dragon's head was cradled in the arms of the ruler.
/Sheatan/
\What brings you here tonight\
/What always does? That good for nothing, power-hungry brother of mine/
\You cannot control him. He is the pharaoh, and he is his own person\
/Sometimes I wish that I could just kill him/
\Do not say things that you do not mean. You will regret them later\
/Maybe, maybe not/
\You should get some rest. Tomorrow you have a guest\
/Yes, that is just what I wanted to do tomorrow. Entertain someone who thinks they want to marry me/
\They are in for a surprise. Now get some rest\
The dragon disappeared leaving the princess standing there with her arm still cradled. The priest had been watching the entire time, marveling at the relationship between master and monster. It reminded him of the bond that he created with his dragons.
"He's right," the priest said. "You should not say things that you will regret later."
"But speak only truth. That is the truth, Seth. Sometimes I do wish I could kill him."
"Let us go before the pharaoh is finished."
The couple walked down the stairwell, and Seth led the way to the princess's chamber. It was an ostentatious room with the cerulean silk creating a canopy over a large bed covered in the same material. A large bath was placed in the center. Sheatana filled the bath, putting a screen around it so Seth was not forced to leave. Her dress lightly drifted to the floor before she lowered herself into the warm water. Seth came around the screen, so he could talk to her face.
"Do you mind?" the girl asked irritably.
"What?" Seth asked.
"If you haven't noticed, I'm not wearing any clothing."
"I've seen you naked before, what's the problem?"
"If anyone were to find out, Yami would have your head."
"He won't," the priest said, lowering himself onto a marble bench. "What's with you lately? You've been withdrawn and easily irritated."
"Seth, Yami is pushing me to the edge. Everyday he tells me that this will make us stronger, but I never believe him."
"The shadow games will not bring us power, but Yami reuses to believe it. I have tried numerous times to tell him, Sheatana."
"I have come to the conclusion that he'll never believe. We need someone to challenge him that is a worthy opponent."
"There is not one in Egypt."
"Yes there is. There is two in fact, but one cannot fight him for other reasons."
"So name this person that can defeat Yami."
The girl glared into his eyes fiercely. The boy glared right back at her.
"There is no way I'm doing that. I will be called a traitor, and my life will be put on trial. If not taken immediately."
"I never asked you to do it; I simply said that you could defeat him, which is why he has you as his high priest."
"You are the other person that can beat him," Seth said.
"Of course," the girl replied, rising from the bath.
Her naked body gleamed, drawing Seth's eyes away from her face. He studied every curve that her muscular body contained. His gaze had turned avid. Sheatana stalked over to the bench, and pulled the priest into a powerful kiss. One kiss led to another.
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Tornado: What did you think?
DT: It was okay. It's rather boring.
Tornado: I think it should get better. R&R. By the way Sheatan means devil in Arabic, but I'm not sure it that's the way you spell it.