Hello! I'm not dead~~ Yes! After MONTHS, and I'M SO SORRY, I finally updated. It took me forever, but, I'm glad I managed to even write words. My concern is that the chapter feels 'forced'. Stiff. I don't know. I pushed myself to write it even though I wasn't 'feeling' it, because an update was necessary. Of course, I edited plenty, but still. I'm not completely satisfied with it. So, I hope this is fine for now. Please, do leave a comment or two to tell me your thoughts. I will edit accordingly. Thank you so much for sticking to this fic, regardless of my tardiness.

Enjoy!

Secrets Underground

Chapter 20

This was it. This was the end for me.

Those were the thoughts I couldn't stop myself from thinking.

After weeks of almost going insane, wondering how I was going to accomplish this cursed task I was given, I blew it in seconds. The Nameless Pharaoh, the one I was searching so desperately for, the one I was forced to travel through time for, stood before me. And I lost him. The result of my work? A prison cell.

I loved the dingy smell the walls and floors gave off. I enjoyed feeling mud on my hands, seeing puddles of filthy water pooling in corners of this tiny room doused in utter darkness. My mind was at peace hearing the clatter of chains and the occasional swing of thick wooden doors that blocked me from the outside world. And nothing pleased me more than being dragged down narrow steps, so shocked out of my mind that I didn't know what to say. My mouth could only form an O shape, my brain… numb. I almost cried.

Actually, I did cry. I cried out of despair. And I was tired of crying.

"Where did I go wrong? How could this have gone wrong?" I murmured helplessly through clenched teeth.

Feeling my insides shaking and a cold sweat on my skin, my body had instinctively stiffened. I couldn't breathe. Rocking back and forth, I clutched my knees and buried my head into them. If I couldn't see it, it wasn't real.

I had been in that position for hours. When they dumped me into the cell, throwing me to the floor without a single care, I vaguely remember staring at the closed door after they had gone, expecting them to return and say they made a mistake. But, when no one showed, with a heart that was too frozen to sink I dragged myself over to a wall, and just waited. It didn't take long after that for myself to fall into a panic.

Now with nothing else to do and feeling a lot calmer, I sat patiently. I was finally able to think.

I saw the Nameless Pharaoh. I saw the Prince.

Breathing steadily, I glanced at the dark wall through half-opened eyes, only to clench them shut when his face appeared in my mind. My ears heated up. The Prince had blood red eyes so deep and dark that the visions I had definitely weren't able to capture its depth. Thin lips, thick brows and eyelashes. He was so regal in every form and way. He was more than I imagined - and that thought terrified me.

I insulted him. Before everyone I yelled and ridiculed the crown Prince, heir to the throne. And as a result I had put many people at risk. Ramose's entire family was on the rope's end because they trusted someone like me. If the Prince recognized them, would they lose their job? That was their livelihood. To have a foreigner like me swoop in and dare to even look their living god in the eye… the possible consequences for what I did and how it would affect those around me scared me. It wasn't even the half of it though. There were my own penalties to deal with. What would become of me, the one who did the deed and was currently locked away?

Execution was what came to my mind. They were going to kill me for sure.

I itched at my thumb, my bare feet unable to stay still and shaking incessantly as I stared off into space. I was really foolish. Things did not work here like they worked in the present day world. Status and power spoke volumes. It kept those beneath in line. It created a sense of control. Here, that status was evident and the norm. How could I even think of opening my mouth to berate a noble? And my thoughts? I didn't care as to who it was? What was I thinking?!

Shaking even more, I hid my face and tried my best to stay calm. My stomach was already doing flops that urged me to throw up whatever was in my empty stomach.

To be honest, now that I thought about it, I didn't know what truly happened in that moment. I took in the situation at face value. All I saw was Merimose being shoved harshly, and I snapped. Not even I could have predicted that my pent up anger and frustration would be unleashed at such a horrible time. But it did, and I knew that I made a grave error.

There was surprise on the Prince's face. It could be shock from seeing someone, me, that looked like his twin, but that couldn't have been the whole situation. He was holding his left arm if I remember clearly. So I had to wonder. Did he get hurt somehow? Even Merimose looked surprised when I crouched beside him. The boy looked as if he was seeing double, and couldn't believe his eyes.

The more I recalled, the more I was sure I missed something. To make it all even worse, I didn't ask Merimose a single question as to what happened.

If I had just slowed down and controlled myself, I wouldn't be in this situation. I was going to die and or spend the rest of my life here. The Prince sounded strict too. If I had truly misunderstood something, he wasn't going to spare me. It was beginning to seem as if he was going to convict me regardless as to whether his father was present or not.

The Prince sentencing me was nothing more than a pessimistic thought however. From my studies of the roles Ancient Egyptian nobles, including Princes, had concerning the country and the rulings of the court, I learned that the Prince(s) did not hold much power. Only the Pharaoh had the right to pass judgement. As the Prince, and one that was already of age, his duties would be elsewhere during his father's reign.

Now that I thought about it, I wondered what role the Nameless Pharaoh held. I already knew that he would soon inherit the throne and become Pharaoh himself, but what about the time before that? Was he a scribe? A Priest? Well, he couldn't have been a Priest since it seemed that all the spots for that position were filled. Ah, he might be a general of some sort! It made more sense, considering the natural way he commanded the guards so confidently. Though, that could also be just a personality trait.

It was all intriguing, but the different possible titles he could have were too much for me to count.

Either way, this situation of mine would not change until Pharaoh Aknamkanon returned. It could take days. Hopefully by then I would be able to save myself somehow, or contact Shadi for assistance to get me out of this predicament that could turn for the worse at any moment without warning. Shadi told me I was going to die, but it couldn't be here. My visions told me otherwise.

Running my fingers through my hair, I sighed deeply once again and looked up at the ceiling, resting my head on the wall. Cracked limestone, uneven and indented. Now that my eyes were adjusting, it was still so dark that the room looked gray. I gazed around, blinking lazily, the depression still weighing on me some.

I wasn't in a normal Egyptian dungeon. The dungeons I read about were not located near the palace, and they were not single cells like this. The dungeons in other kingdoms were a separate building, just a giant room where all the convicts would be held until their sentence and after it. It was weird, seeing this difference. It reminded me so much of a modern day prison which had individual cells right by each other. And there were indeed other rooms like this. I clearly remembered seeing similar sets of doors like this heavy wooden one I currently faced. Also, this place was deep underneath the palace. Its entryway was nothing but a tiny door with steep steps that led into a dark room lit by two torches. We had gotten so far beneath ground that the cooler air caused goosebumps to break out on my arms and legs.

Looking beneath the little crack at the base of the door, I was able to see a dim orange glow. It was from one of the torches. It had gone out a while ago, so someone was recently here to relight them.

"…"

My mind was so blank and my energy was too drained for me to think any deeper. My throat was too hoarse to call out. Even if did, what would I say?

I didn't know how much time had passed before I finally heard a sound other than the grates of stone under my feet. A loud creak just beyond my door broke the deafening silence I was drowning in, and it had me sitting up with wide eyes and a fast beating heart that started pounding within a second. I waited, and my heart leaped to my throat when the door swung open suddenly. Light poured in and instinctively I shielded my eyes as I saw two big, dark silhouettes of the guards. I scooted backwards as they stepped in, my arm covering my eyes, only to have one of them grab it, the other taking my left.

"Time to plead your case," one said briefly, and they clamped iron cuffs around my wrists. A thick chain inhibited me from much movement between my arms, and put me at their mercy as they yanked me to my feet and pulled me out the door. I tumbled behind them with surprise, only for my mind to finally process their words.

What?

"W-wait, why?! How?!" I blabbered. But, the surprise was too much for me to bear because I started to panic once again. Eyes wide and heart racing within my chest, I struggled as hard as I could to pull my arm away from the death grip hold.

"No, please- stop! How can this be?" I yelled as I resisted, but with one firm tug of the chain they held I was almost tripped into silence.

There was no way the Pharaoh had returned so soon. My knowledge was reliable, but it was impossible to be certain about everything, especially when it came to a kingdom that was putting my studies to no good. That was why a part of me couldn't help but seriously wonder…

Was the Prince really going to be the one to sentence me?

"Where are you taking me?" I demanded, and from my awkward position between them I glanced upwards.

The guards were stiff, their faces firm and refusing to look at me. I could tell they were nervous, and a part of me, deep down, was amused by the expressions. They couldn't help but think that they were manhandling their Prince. I was his lookalike with major differences, but perhaps the unique resemblance still put them on edge.

Dragging me up the stairs, not even stopping when I stumbled and cried out as I felt my knee crack on the sharp edge, I was pulled through the elegant and bright hallways as quickly as possible. All eyes were on me as the guards shouted at some to move out of the way. Wandering guests and servants cleaning up after the festival scurried away from me to the farthest wall to watch with curiosity as I passed by, and I felt my face burning, a frown fighting its way to rest on my face. I was embarrassed, and within I was worried out of my mind.

With a final turn I was thrust into the throne room, and immediately the hushed silence that greeted me and the weight of the tension made my ears pop. I gulped as they dragged me to the center of the room, and my eyes immediately zeroed in on Ramose, Meri and Senisonbe who were standing at the side before the throne, eyes downcast and not lifting when my own eyes begged to meet one of theirs. I needed to see how they felt. I needed to see hope instead of the fearful, solemn stance they took and wore like a desperate shield.

My gaze eventually went upwards to see what was directly infront of me, only to falter slightly. The two Priests who had remained behind, witnesses to the aftermath of the incident was right before me. Mana too was there, standing a short distance away. Even her eyes looked sad. Of course, after getting acquainted with me, I had put even her into trouble.

And last but certainly not least, there, standing on the platform between the two Priests, was the Prince. Leaning against the throne, arms crossed, his red eyes pierced and followed me with each step I took. I couldn't swallow, nor breathe.

"Kneel!" one of the guards suddenly ordered, and without warning I was shoved to the ground. My eyes dropped and stuck to the floor like glue, my body tensing within a second.

A ruffle of clothes, and footsteps that shot fear into my heart was what I heard before a hushed voice broke the deafening silence.

"My Prince, it is unwise to carry out such a decision by yourself. Your father-"

"- Isn't here. However, this man transgressed me, Mahad. Therefore I have the right to see fit how to deal with him."

Oh, so that was it. He was doing this on his own terms. Thank goodness some of my studies were showing fruit after all.

I still kept my head down as the woman let out a soft sigh.

"Mahad, leave him be," she stated, and I heard her voice get firmer as she turned to the other. "My Prince, do as you please. However, we shall be your observer and forbid you from taking any severe actions in your father's absence."

The Prince was amused at that. He voice held mirth as he responded, and even though I couldn't see him, I could imagine a similar smirk on his face right now like the one in that blood vision.

"Do as you wish," he said, and his footsteps that proceeded my way, stopped.

"Rise, you."

My heart shot up to my throat and I lurched slightly as my head snapped up to meet him. He stood there, metres away from me, at the edge of the platform. Hips cocked, arms crossed; he was indeed smirking playfully.

The guards yanked me once again to my feet as I failed to obey the Prince's order immediately.

"Not only have you insulted me, you dared to consider me one of your own. You were the first to ever do such a thing. I would say that I'm impressed, but not in the slightest." The smirk vanished and was immediately replaced with a look filled of poison. My blood ran cold.

"There was nothing impressive about your behaviour other than rude, obnoxious, and ignorant." He clenched his fists, and there, on his arm, I saw a thin wrapping of gauze.

"I-"

"I've been told you came here to learn about Egypt, but I cannot understand how you've learned nothing from staying with people who are important assets to the royal family. You have been nothing but a nuisance, and now they too will have to pay for hosting such a-"

"No, please!" I cried out suddenly. My head snapped up and I couldn't help but look at him with pleading eyes, round and shaking to stay in place. He fell quiet at me sudden outburst, but I spoke without thinking, again. "Please don't punish them. I'm the one who made the mistake. I was stupid to do such a thing carelessly despite their warnings to behave myself."

I glanced at Ramose who was looking at me with shocked eyes, as if he couldn't believe what I was saying. I managed to smile reassuringly in return before trying my best to convince the Prince. As I tried to meet his eye level as best as I could from my position, I was suddenly kicked back down to the ground by a guard's heavy foot that stood just a short distance away. That didn't stop me.

"I will accept whatever punishment, but please don't blame Ramose's family. They truly did try their hardest to guide me, but-"

"That's enough!"

The Prince shot daggers at me and my words died instantaneously, leaving a lump that ached within my throat.

"Not a word from you. No matter the circumstances I will not forgive you."

"Your Highness, please, wait."

The light voice I had gotten the pleasure of having spoken towards me was once again coming to my aid. Mana, looking slightly taken aback by the surprised glances and the sharp stare the Prince was giving her at her sudden words, stood as straight and tall as a post as she could before speaking.

"I'm sorry, my Prince, for speaking out of line like this, but I disagree. You simply cannot punish this family for what has been done to you. They were faithful to your family for years, even time before you were born to this world. How can you doubt them so easily? Your father, the Pharaoh wouldn't deal with it like this." I saw tears brimming in her eyes, but she held strong, and so did the Prince. His gaze felt no sympathy for her bravery. If anything, his gaze got darker.

But why?

The question was hard to stop as I eyed them carefully. Each of them were so against his decision to punish me, but the Prince hadn't said a word yet as to what he was going to do. Why were they so desperate that they would speak without care, or watch him so keenly? A memory popped into my head, one that I hadn't believe at the time.

"… he has incredibly dark powers that he uses to torture his victims. He had a sick mind. He chopped off a servant's hand just because they spilled water on him…"

Kevin's words echoed in my head, and looking at the Prince, it wasn't hard to see some possibility. Even though his powers were still to see, the Prince was not one to get close to, and live to see the end of.

"If you want to punish anyone for Timaeus's behaviour, punish me. I was the one who asked to have him stay with them. I take full responsibility-"

"Mana do not be foolish! Besides, you were not given permission to speak." Mahad said sharply, eyeing Mana whose face fell upon being reprimanded. She stepped back, making herself look as small and out of the way as possible. My heart went out to her.

Priest Mahad stepped forward this time, and all gazes turned to him. His stern look that he gave Mana transformed into one of utter disappointment as he turned to the Prince.

"My Prince, ignore her. Instead, I suggest that you take-"

"Why is it that everyone else is adamant on making the decision only I am allowed to make?"

All eyes widened at the hiss that escaped the Prince's lips. He looked at the two before him who fell silent upon hearing the cold tone, his gaze daring them to say another word. Neither did, and he continued with satisfaction.

"I will deal with this as I see fit. Now, be quiet like Isis, both of you, before I have you incarcerated for disrupting the court."

"Technically you shouldn't be the one…" Isis started to mutter to herself, but she trailed off, her gaze dropping to the ground when the Prince turned his glare towards her. I could see that he was beyond frustrated.

Watching him now, I blinked curiously. Despite it all, the Prince reminded me of a child that was being toyed with by their elders. A child that was only being entertained for a short amount of time. Making him believe he had a say when in fact what he was about to do had no value to them. That the decision was of little importance. I, was of little importance.

And that way of treating him could be dangerous. A person filled with pride wouldn't want to be treated in such a way.

But, it all boiled down to the fact that the decision wasn't going to affect just me. I looked back at the family who I spent my days with. They were all still and quiet, fearful of the shouts that came from the royals before them. I winced and mentally apologised to them once again.

"I will deal with them as I please! Not another word from either of you!" the Prince finally yelled now, and all they could do was nod solemnly in agreement after the tough berating they were given while I was momentarily zoned out.

The Prince didn't wait to test and see if they would speak. He spun around to face me without a moment of respite, and my head jolted to attention when I felt his gaze burn holes into my skull. It lasted for a blink when his arm shot up and pointed in Ramose's direction. Ramose looked frozen to the core with terror, the finger seemingly controlling him.

"I've decided," the Prince said slowly through stiff teeth. "You, will play a game with me which will decide your and their fates. Shall you win, you are allowed to walk free with them keeping their status, free from prison as well, the incident never being mentioned to the Pharaoh. However, if you lose…" A smirk then appeared on his face, his eyes dancing with glee as he eyed me intently. I gulped.

"… I will personally take your life."

And there we go! The end of the chapter! Again, maybe some repetition, especially towards the end. This was also a dramatic chapter, so I hope everyone was in character for the most part. That scene with Mahad and Mana speaking out against Atem makes me nervous. I'm pretty sure they wouldn't have done that, but I considered that they were his friends (of course this is unknown to Yugi beforehand) and that the Pharaoh was not around, so they were more active in talking him out of making the final decision. Was that okay? Heh. Advise me. Please

Anyways, thank you so much for reading! Please leave a review to tell me your thoughts!

Bye~ Until next time~! :)