A/N: I know I have been quite an annoying lot with all my complaints about this stupid writer's block and I thank the people who tolerated with my condition for the last few chapters. All your reviews are fully appreciated believe me.

I would want to thank Aura Serene, shining-tears and her sister (sorry I momentarily forgot your penname) and Yami Val and to the other reviewers out there for your support.

Finally, after a long wait, I have gathered enough inspiration to continue this chapter. Okay I'll stop rambling now.

Chapter 20: Blood Fights

Seth watched as the last of the palace healers left the pharaoh's room and sighed, allowing his mind to wander. Was it all over now? Bakura was dead; he will no longer bother them. It's over, right?

The thought made him smile. Peace at last, especially for his love. All that has happened in the past was behind them now. No more deaths, no more darkness, no more haunting memories especially for the pharaoh/ his cousin/ his lover.

Caressing the other's face, feeling his cousin's goosebumps rise at the temperature his hand was releasing, he frowned slightly. What Atemu underwent for the past four years was undeniably unimaginable. There was the slight remorse at his cousin for hiding those things from him, of course, but most of the time, he couldn't stop himself from actually pitying his small lover. And yes, it was still all Bakura's fault.

"Sire, the girl is missing!"

Seth rose immediately at the intrusion. "What do you mean she's missing? Where were the guards?" he answered, "Who took her?" The guard cowered under his blazing gaze; no one wanted to be the endpoint of the priest's fury. "I-it w-was High Priest Akunadin, sire," the guard stuttered.

The High Priest clenched his fist, controlling his anger. Why must that wretched father of his always find a way to ruin everything? What would it take for Akunadin to finally accept that he didn't want to be pharaoh? All he wanted was his Atemu to be happy. And for that to happen, then all of this must stop. Now.

He shook his head inwardly. He was wrong, he told himself. As long as Akunadin, that stubborn ever-infuriating father of his, was there and wants him to seize the throne, this will never stop.

"Where are the guards?" he asked again.

"They are dead, sire."

"Dead?" Seth queeried. And he still has the guts to kill the guards!

"Yes sire."

Seth made his way to the door. Atemu have faced a lot of problems already. He doesn't need a set of new ones to solve, "Send word for Mana to stay with the pharaoh. Do not inform the other High Priests," he ordered, knowing his order will be immediately followed as directed. He will deal with this one. No more will his beloved cousin suffer the consequences of other's imperfections.

He headed to Kisara's room and saw the two guards who were then assigned to look after the girl dead on the floor, their faces etched with horror and their bodies full of stabs. He took out his Millennium Rod before leaving the room, walking towards the underground arena, which was shown to him before.

But as he opened the door leading to that place, his Millennium item glowed, announcing another item's presence and as he looked at his item, he was knocked unconscious from behind and carried towards a seemingly portal, his Millennium Rod taken from him.

Pharaoh Atemu opened his eyes, seeing brown chestnut hair and huge blue eyes. At first, he thought it was Seth, as expected, but the other's voice proved him otherwise.

"Mana?"

"My prince, you're awake!" Mana chirped with her usual cheerfulness as she helped the monarch sit up.

"Where's Seth?" he asked, looking for his overprotective cousin/lover.

"I don't know, my prince," Mana answered, her eyes widening as the pharaoh rose from bed to look for his priest, "You should rest, my prince!" she added.

Atemu stopped and looked at her, appreciating the other's concern but he really needed his cousin close. Who knows what will happen next? As far as both of them are concerned, the game isn't over yet. "I'm fine, Mana," he said before leaving the room. Where can that priest be? He thought.

"My pharaoh, you should be resting," Shadi advised the moment their king entered the throne room, surprising everyone. He wasn't supposed to wake up until later that evening.

"Where's High Priest Seth?" Karimu suddenly voiced; Atemu stopped, his question already asked. All eyes turned to the pharaoh first before focusing on the priest who asked the question, Karimu.

"I'm assuming he was with you," Atemu answered.

"He was with you all the while, your majesty. In fact, he refused to leave your side all day," Shadi replied. Atemu shook his head, "He's not there. Mana was the one with me when I woke up," he answered.

"Mana?" his priests chorused.

Atemu stared outside through the opened window, his thoughts forming into one unproven conclusion. Why did all of a sudden he know something was going to happen that he would obviously dislike?

"Pharaoh!"

"Your majesty!"

He watched as his captain, Jono, appeared with his second-in-command. To his sudden amazement, they weren't smiling nor were they grinning. This doesn't mean a good thing usually. His smile turned upside down as he gaze at the pair skeptically.

"What is it, Jono?" he asked.

"Sire, we found this near the dungeons," Jono answered seriously, revealing the tall headdress of the missing High Priest. Atemu's eyes widened upon seeing the headdress. What was Seth doing in the dungeons? "We also found this, your majesty," Jono's companion added, showing them an unlit torch.

Atemu eyed the two retrieved items carefully. Something was wrong here. Why did he had this gut feeling that Seth's absence was not planned nor was it done willingly?

"Where is High Priest Akunadin?" Atemu suddenly asked. He didn't know what exactly made him ask that question but he had a feeling his uncle was responsible with all of these.

"We haven't seen him, sire," Shadi answered.

"I saw him yesterday by your temple, sire. He was talking to a white-haired man about something and then I saw him earlier on his steed running from the palace," the second-in-command answered, rather stupidly really. Jono eyed his companion, why did he not know of this?

"What? Jono, why was I not informed of this?" Atemu demanded. This was wrong. Who knows what Akunadin has done already? It was of no doubt that he also has Seth.

The pharaoh made his way to the stables with orders to look for Akunadin in the town as he had to the one forsaken temple he and Seth found Akunadin in when they were younger.

'I'm on my way, Seth.'

Seth woke up, his head pounding as he adjusted to the light. What happened? He could remember finding out Kisara was gone and making his way to the underground. Then his Millennium Rod flashed—wait, where was his Millennium Rod?

The priest sat up immediately and searched for his item. It can't be missing! If Akunadin manages to take control of it, who know what could happen with the pharaoh's current unconscious state?

"Looking for this, my son?"

Speak of the devil. Seth narrowed his gaze, seeing the missing item in his father's hands. "What are you doing with my Millennium Rod?" he demanded, making his way towards the smirking Akunadin.

"Seriously, my son, you ask the dumbest questions," Akunadin replied before revealing the bound girl behind him and placed the Rod on Kisara's neck just close enough to draw blood.

"Let her go and give me back the rod, Akunadin!" Seth snapped.

"Why would I? Did you ever follow me?" Akunadin answered before chuckling at the intensity of the other's gaze. "You are a powerful person. Why do you resist what fate is offering you? You are to be the next pharaoh!" he said.

Seth snorted, "For an old man, you are quite an annoying lot, father," he answered, snatching the rod and pulling Kisara with him as they escape, "Not to mention slow," he added mockingly, seeing the exit from afar. Surprisingly, no mind-controlled guards came to stop them as Akunadin's chuckle echoed, which made his son wonder. Who would laugh when your prisoners are escaping?

"How many times must I show you that you cannot escape fate and me?" Akunadin asked, appearing in front of the two.

"I don't believe in fate. I control my life not this so-called fate," Seth answered, "Dios attack!"

Akunadin sighed in exasperation before sending the charging monster flying into a column, seeing his son double over at the impact. Seth… so young and stubborn. He would enjoy bending the other into his will.

"You better believe in it. Even your cousin believes in it, he even believes you were fated to love each other!" Akunadin revealed mockingly, knowing the angered reaction the pharaoh will give if he was there. But he isn't. Too bad.

"I don't care if he believes in it. All I care is that I love him, he's my pharaoh and you're a sick loser, who unfortunately, is also my father!" Seth snapped, angered by the fact that the other was mocking his beloved. He ordered for his monster to attack, only to be thrown away into the ground once again.

Kisara watched in horror as the two banter continuously, Seth's monster fell time and again as the owner almost sunk to his knees in exhaustion. If only she could do something to save the priest's life. Then it hit her; her face brightened as she started concentrating on releasing the White Dragon to attack Akunadin.

Seeing the opportunity, Seth ordered his monster to attack the older High Preist, who fell backwards at the attack. Akunadin laughed like a madman, "You fell for my trap!" he revealed, answering their question before using his powers to take Seth's item, "Now let me show you how true power is used."

Kisara gasped as the dragon to whom her soul was bound to was lifted into the air forcefully and slammed into a wall before forcing the weakened dragon inside the stone tablet, sealing it for good as its half slumped forward, ready to fall.

Akunadin smiled triumphantly before looking at his seemingly paralyzed son, "Farewell, Seth," Akunadin muttered. Why must he spend all his efforts, time and energy on a person who will just anger you for all eternity? Kill him and it will all be over for him. His smile widened as he blasted at the other High Priest.

"No!" Kisara suddenly cried, moving to take the attack instead as she fell to the ground, ready to leave the living world.

"Kisara? Are you all right? Kisara!" Seth shook the fallen girl who smiled at him tenderly, "N-now… go b-back to y-your… b-beloved p-pharaoh… we're… even," Kisara managed to say before falling limp.

"Are you going to waste her sacrifice, Seth?" Akunadin asked, "Will you allow yourself to die now that she just gave away her own to save yours? Are you truly that selfish?"

Seth didn't answer nor did he moved an inch. He bowed his head, hiding his innermost thoughts and plans from his father's probing eye as Akunadin continued with his taunt.

"You're as selfish as that cousin of yours. I agree, you're perfect for each other. You're both hypocrites, selfish brats who deserve to be—" Akunadin gasped as he felt a sword pierce and enter his body, his son smirking coldly in front of him with the weapon held with both hands.

"Were you going to say 'killed', father of mine? What were you saying again? Can you repeat them again?" Seth answered forcing the sword deeper, "You're calling us brats, father? Atemu's not a brat, and if ever I am indeed a brat, then who do you think I got it from?"

The older priest's widened eyes slowly met his son's own as if asking the reason behind this. Seth pushed the other's body to the ground, "You want to know why I did this?" he asked, "Because you're a bastard who thinks he can get everything he wants by making everyone's lives miserable," he answered before turning his back and walking away.

Suddenly, a low gurgling chuckle stopped his movements. How—? He spun around to see his dying father gurgling on his own blood with his chuckles. Why was he laughing? He was dying.

"Ah, confusion. I love…. That… look in your eyes, my son," Akunadin answered, "F-fret not. T-there's n-nothing… to worry about… I'm going to make sure everything's… alright from now on," he added before his soul entered his son's body.

Seth felt his soul being torn from his body. What was happening? Akunadin was supposed to be dead. Why was he still alive? And if he isn't controlling his body, who is?

I am, my son

Akunadin!

"Seth!" High Priest Seth turned to see his pharaoh dismounting his steed. Akunadin smiled evilly and turned to look at his transparent son.

"You will like this show I readied for you, my son," Akunadin said, using Seth's voice, "Watch how I kill your beloved pharaoh in front of your eyes."

Atemu, no! That's not me! Don't come near him! That's Akunadin! Seth tried and tried to catch his unaware cousin's attention but failed. It was as if he was no longer capable to speak or to do anything but watch.

"Seth, are you alright?" Atemu asked as he slowly made his way to the priest, whose back was turned on him, "Did Akunadin do anything to you?" the pharaoh tried again.

"No, not really, my pharaoh," Akunadin (through Seth's body) slyly answered as he caught the hand the other was going to rest on his shoulder. Atemu pulled it back forcefully only to learn that the grip was too strong. Seth never handled him this way. What was going on with his cousin?

"Seth, let go of my hand," Atemu said, tugging on his hand that the other refused to let go.

"No one orders me around," Akunadin replied, "Well not anymore," he added before turning around and pushed the surprised pharaoh to the ground.

Atemu's eyes widened the moment he saw the other's face. It wasn't Seth. Since when did Seth have gray piercing hateful eyes? His mind quickly searched for the person whom he was facing and he gasped.

"Akunadin!"

"Very good, my little niece. Although I have to admit, it took you a long time to figure this one out," Akunadin answered before straddling the other's waist, a knife lifted to stab the pharaoh.

Seth watched in horror helplessly as his lover struggled and stopped his uncle from stabbing him. "Well, well, well, I never expected I'm going to kill you easily," Akunadin said as he caressed the other's face. Atemu tensed from beneath him at the contact, "Stop this, uncle!" he replied.

Atemu's head jerked sideways as his uncle hit him, "No, you stop! You stop being the brat that everyone disgustingly loves. You're just like my brother who kept ordering everyone around. You never cared for the kingdom, never!" Akunadin snapped satisfied at the bruise he had caused.

The pharaoh's eyes narrowed dangerously despite his position, "Don't you ever tell me that he never cared for this kingdom because with all due honesty and respect, uncle,he was one of the best and I think the reason you stayed there all those years was to find the time to use Seth to get what you want!" he answered back.

Seth eyed the two as they continue to answer back at each other's comebacks. "I see now… perhaps Bakura didn't break your spirit that much, huh?" Akunadin suddenly said, knowing what the other's weaknesses were. Atemu's eyes widened.

"I'm correct, then. I guess he was always the foolish puppet of mine," Akunadin continued, satisfied at the other's lack of response. Drawing the right opportunity, he stabbed his niece, only to miss and hit the other's arm.

Suddenly there was a blast, which sent the High Priest away from the injured pharaoh. Seth sighed in relief, at least Mahado was still there. If only he could find a way to kick Akunadin out of his body.

"Seth, enter him now!" Mahado ordered. Seth, although still hating being ordered at, promptly followed as Mahado aided his pharaoh. Akunadin chuckled still unaware of Seth's presence.

"Back again, Mahado?" Akunadin taunted and shrugged, "Oh well… there's no harm in killing you both. What was that saying again? Hit two birds with one stone?" he added as he called on the White Dragon and ordered it to attack the Dark Magician.

"Y-yes!" Akunadin repeated, knowing the other will not survive the attack, only to gasp in horror as he saw someone block the beam.

"What!" he exclaimed.

"You have destroyed many a life, Akunadin, brother of Akunamkannon. Now it is time for you to repay it all," the savior said before returning the blast at the surprised priest. Seth watched as the beam aimed for him but made no move to get away. If this is the only way to make sure Atemu was safe, then so be it.

"NO!" Atemu cried as Seth collapsed into the ground limply and ran to his cousin's side, taking the other into his arms. No. Seth… he was not there. Why didn't he move? He cannot take another death again. Especially when it was already the person whom he gave his heart to.

"Atemu," Mahado whispered.

"No… Seth," Atemu cried as he hugged his cousin tighter to him.

"Sire, I have come to—" his savior started.

"No, just kill me. I don't care anymore," Atemu interrupted, "Seth, why didn't you just move away?" he asked, tears falling freely from his eyes.

His savior shook his head, "He's not dead, my pharaoh," he said.

"What do you mean he's not dead?"

A/N: Did I leave a cliffhanger there? Sorry… anyway, I know it was a bit different from the actual series but please bear with me. Honestly, Akunadin's confrontation wasn't supposed to happen but I guess when you're on sugar high, words easily come to you. Oh yeah, remember Jono? Guess who he is. If you're confused about something or want to clarify something, just tell me, okay and I'll make sure I reply and of course, include the answers to the questions in the next chapter. See ya!