Chapter 13: A New Shed of Light
So lately been wonderin'Who will be there to take my place?
Whem I'm gone you'll need love
To light the shadows on your face
If a greater wave shall fall
And fall upon us all
Then between the sand and stone
Could you make it on your own?
If I could then I would
I'll go wherever you will go
Way up high or down low
I'll go wherever you will go
And maybe I'll find out
A way to make it back someday
To watch you to guide you
Through the darkest of your days
If a greater wave shall fall
And fall upon us all
Then I hope there's someone out there
Who could bring me back to you
If I could then I would
I'll go wherever you will go
Way up high or down low
I'll go wherever you will go
Run away with my heart
Run away with my hope
Run away with my love
I know now just quite how
My life and love might still go on
In your heart, in your mind
I'll stay with you for all the time
If I could then I would
I'll go wherever you will go
Way up high or down low
I'll go wherever you will go
If I could turn back time
I'll go wherever you will go
If I could make you mine
I'll go wherever you will go
Death. One of the selected few that no one can avoid. No remedy. It can be a curse. It can be a blessing. It all depends on how one should look at it. But what can a person benefit from it? Luck? Peace? Perhaps pain and misery? Grief? Guilt?
Yes.
Guilt.
Everyone knew how close Mahado and Atemu were. They were inseparable even when small tots. They were the best of friends. No one can doubt that. Everyone knew they would gladly give their life for the safety of the other. And even though Atemu knew, it wasn't enough to stop himself from allowing the guilt of sending his friend to his death to flow with his blood.
It was simply not enough.
Atemu plopped on his bed and buried his head underneath his pillow. Why did it have to happen? Why did Mahado die? How could the gods allow Mahado to sacrifice himself? He wasn't worthy.
If he hadn't met Bakura, Mahado wouldn't have died. He would be in his chambers at the moment, preparing to sleep. Or at the least reprimanding his friend for not getting his rest. Mahado would be there beside him if the nightmares came back. If he hadn't met Bakura.
"Damn you, Bakura. Why are you so bent on making my life miserable?" he asked aloud, not caring if anyone hears him. He hated Bakura. He hated him for taking advantage of him. He hated him for bringing back haunting memories. He hated Bakura solely because he killed Mahado.
And he hated himself for being so foolish.
He couldn't believe it. With just one glimpse, everyone he cared for was gone. He was alone now. Worst than before. What did he do to offend the gods? It all seemed to be a punishment from the gods. Why? What did he ever do to offend them?
"Atemu?"
The pharaoh turned to see his cousin eyeing him in concern. Whatever happened four nights ago totally forgotten.
"What do you want, Seth?" Atemu asked as he sat on his bed, making sure his cousin wouldn't see his tears.
Seth sat beside him, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Do you want to talk?" he asked. Although it caught Atemu by surprise to see his cousin acting nicer than usual, and although he appreciated the other's efforts, he shook his head.
"No, what's there to talk about, anyway?" he answered, refusing to meet his cousin's gaze.
"You can't keep things bottling up inside, Atemu," Seth said softly. It hurts to see his cousin acting this way. He was usually calm and collected, and although he hated it before, he really wished his cousin were back to normal.
"You don't understand," Atemu reasoned as he met his cousin's gaze.
"Try me," Seth said.
"No."
"Then how will you know if I really don't understand?" Seth asked.
Atemu looked away. This was wrong. He wasn't supposed to be acting so fragile in front of his overprotective cousin/High Priest.
"I think you should leave now, cousin," he answered.
"I don't think I should," Seth argued.
Atemu inwardly groaned in exasperation. Why oh why did Seth have to make things so difficult?
"Seth, please, just go!" he said.
Seth shook his head childishly.
"No I won't. What if you have a bad dream and you get scared out of your wits you can't even utter a word?" Seth defended, "How will we know if you're still alive?"
Atemu, although frustrated and angry at his cousin, couldn't stifle his chuckle. What was his cousin planning to do?
"Will you just go? I will be fine, I assure you," he said.
"Sure, that's what you said years ago when you woke up because of the dream you had after I told you a story," Seth answered with a nonchalant shrug.
"What exactly are you planning to do, Seth?" Atemu asked.
"Nothing, really," Seth answered, pleased to at least made his cousin chuckle. That was a start. With a smirk, he removed his headdress and lied beside his cousin who was staring at him in surprise.
"What are you doing?" Atemu asked in disbelief.
"Sleeping, what else?" Seth said before closing his eyes. Atemu shook his cousin awake. "You will not sleep here. What is wrong with you, Seth?"
But Seth didn't move an inch nor did he answer his cousin. He inwardly smirked as he felt his cousin sigh in resignation and lied beside him. Now, how to control his hormones?
Shadi and Karimu watched in disbelief and surprise as Atemu appeared in front of them smiling the next day. Seth was smirking behind him triumphantly and they both knew who was the reason behind Atemu's sudden appearance.
And as the days pass by, the bond between the two cousins got stronger. It was as if his cousin, who was always annoying and amusing him to no end, even though it was a bit out of character for Seth, soon replaced the empty hole inside Atemu's heart when Mahado died.
Before Atemu knew it, he was falling hard for his cousin. And although he continuously denies that simple fact, he knew it was true. But it was wrong for him. The people must always come first.
"Your majesty, High Priest Seth and High Priest Shadi have arrived," said a palace guard, catching Atemu's attention.
"Thank you, you may go," Atemu answered as he patiently waited for his High Priests to arrive. He hid his disappointment quickly as Shadi appeared in front of him and knelt.
"Sire," Shadi greeted.
"I take it you were successful?" he asked.
"Yes your majesty," Shadi answered. Atemu nodded as answer.
He didn't know what caused him to go to the rooms near the servants' hall. He didn't even have a clue how he got there. Walking down the corridors, his mind raced. What was he doing there? He should be back at his throne, checking on the reports. Then he saw the familiar tall headdress.
Atemu stopped. That was Seth! But what was he doing here? And who was the person his cousin was carrying?
He felt his heartbeat quicken. Never did he experience that before. Silent as a cat, he followed his cousin.
Seth placed the unconscious girl on the bed. Why did the girl look so familiar to him? Where did they meet?
Unconsciously, he caressed the girl's face, pushing away strands of blue-white hair from her face. She was beautiful, that was as clear as daylight. But he wasn't attracted to her. He didn't know any person to have an effect on him like his cousin. Although the idea of his cousin falling in-love with him is totally preposterous.
It was wrong. Atemu was the pharaoh and he was his High Priest. And he knows the other know it too.
Atemu turned around and walked away, feeling his spirit sink. He never expected to see that. So this is how it feels to be heartbroken? He asked himself. Is this how Mahado felt?
Seth will never return his feelings. He cares for the girl, not him. Not a weak individual who always causes trouble everywhere he goes. Who would dare care for him anyway? Anyone who would dare dies.
How can Seth love him back? It was impossible.
Tears brimmed Atemu's eyes. He never knew this was how it felt. He never knew he would someday feel what Mahado felt when he kissed him. He never knew until now.
A/N: By the way, the song is 'Wherever You Will Go' by The Calling. I take it this is not a good chapter, right? But still, don't forget to review!