V.E.: Well, it's certainly been a while. I know I should probably be doing the Pokémon thing for Sanji first, but it's been too long since I've gotten inside Kisara's head. I hope you guys weren't too impatient. At least I update more than once a year.
So last we left off, we got to see some Kisara and Seto boding as well as Mana coming to the realization that changes and growing up is inevitable. The only thing you can really do about it is decide how you'll face it. I do hope to get more into Mana and Atem's relationship down the line as I am Vaseshipper, but next chapter will be more about Mahad.
But this chapter is the continuation of a story within a story. Because an unfortunate habit of shounen anime is to either kill or mostly ignore moms. Seriously, being a mom is practically the kiss of death in One Piece. So, I decided to make my own interpretation of Atem's mom. I seriously hope this won't make anyone too mad.
Well, best get on with it then.
Quote: "We're born alone, we live alone, we die alone. Only through our love and friendship can we create the illusion for the moment that we're not alone."- Orson Welles
Music couldn't soothe Kisara's mind tonight.
Normally, playing her harp was a way to let her mind relax, let her worries wash away. Perhaps it was the fact that the pharaoh was right there listening to her play, perhaps her discussion with Mana earlier was still on her mind, perhaps all the of ongoing events (The thief, Aknadin, Mahad's ascent to Sacred Guardian, Seto) had finally made her unable to relax.
Whatever the reason, she couldn't play tonight like always and any professional musician would be able to call her out on it.
"You seem lost in thought."
The white haired young woman stopped playing, looking across the room where Pharaoh Aknamkamon gazed at her with a concerned expression.
Kisara sighed.
"It's that obvious, huh?"
"I'm very familiar with that expression my dear. In fact, I've been seeing that particular face quite a bit on myself recently. Would like to share those thoughts?"
His adopted daughter paused, considering her thoughts before she began to speak.
"I've…had a lot to think about recently. Just yesterday, I realized my focus on my duties and studies made me neglect Mana. And I'm not the only one who left her alone."
The pharaoh nodded.
"A lesson that is clearer as we grow older. Yet, I sense it's not the only thing you've been thinking about."
"Hardly. I'm also concerned about Mahad taking on the Millennium Ring, I'm worried whether he and Priest Seto will be able to work together given their past interactions."
The old king nodded.
"That's also been giving me some concern, but I think doing this sooner rather than later will at least give them a chance to work with each other more. Doing so, I think they can at least learn to work together and keep their disagreements more private."
Kisara still looked wary at the idea. "I can see what you're going for, but I still think this could backfire."
"In that case, I'll take full responsibility for it. It wouldn't be the first risky decision I've made. So then, what else is there?"
She bit her lip, knowing very well what she wanted to bring up next might backfire on her. Yet, she knew that Seto's advice was probably right and the only way to get answers from the man was taking the direct method.
"I've also been thinking about this thief….as well as yourself."
If Pharaoh Aknamkamon was surprised at her statement, he certainly didn't show it as he continued to stare at her with patience.
"Your Majesty, this whole business with the royal tomb robber, the flower back in the main hall…you know something, don't you?"
For a full minute, silence reigned. Neither the pharaoh nor Kisara moved a muscle. For Kisara, it felt like time had frozen as if some higher power had paused it before she asked the question. If not for the steadiness of her breathing, she might have believed it.
Then time seemed to resume as Pharaoh Aknamkamon seemed to slump, the wrinkles on his face evident as tiredness filled his eyes.
"So….someone else finally noticed. It seems we both seem somewhat obvious in hindsight. Have you been thinking about this since that day?"
She nodded.
"A bit, though I have had more on my mind than that. Anyway, is there a reason you're not telling anyone this?"
He considered the question for a few moments before he answered. "Reason? Well, yes…but more because it does not make sense."
"What do you mean?"
The king chuckled at that.
"Well, I suppose that's a good segue as any for tonight's story. Matter of fact, it's completely appropriate."
The blue eyed princess blinked in confusion.
"Wait, I don't understand. This tomb robber has something to do with this story?"
He nodded before he began the next part of his tale.
"Oh yes, very much so. But I'll need to go back for this to make any sense. Now, when we left off the crown prince was pondering the necklace that the girl who saved him left behind. He wondered why she had something like this, was Atsu her name, why she had decided that being unseen was more important than this thing that had obviously meant a lot to her. These were questions the prince pondered, but came to no satisfying conclusions.
"Many around him were concerned at this change in the young man, but he never breathed a word at what had happened that day. Not even to his beloved tutor or his twin brother."
Kisara sat up straighter at that, seeing the similarity to her own circumstances.
"Years passed. His mother, the queen, died and the crown prince ascended the throne as pharaoh. He strove to follow his mother's example and become a diligent and wise ruler. He had many foes surrounding him and many goals he desired to fulfill. Still, in the back of his mind the memory of his savior lingered.
"One day, however, a curious and worrying report had come to his attention. One of the older royal tombs had been stolen from, its wall defaced with graffiti that no one could understand. After some intensive information gathering, it revealed that the culprits were a band of thieves that had long been the bane of pharaohs since the fall of the Nineteenth Dynasty."
The young lady spoke up with a question.
"Why since then?"
Aknamkamon nodded in approval at her inquiry.
"A good question. While at the time the king did not know the reason, he later found out that this particular group of thieves were originally tomb builders. After that specific dynasty's decline, their services were no longer used and they resorted to stealing to make their livelihood. Such familiarity with the tombs as well as the curses used on them, made them very efficient thieves."
Kisara considered the knowledge, realizing how familiar it sounded but it still raised a question.
"I can see why they would do so, but I'm still confused as to how this relates to the story from earlier."
"I'm getting there. Anyhow, what made this group even more peculiar was their leader and how they had come to run Egypt's criminal underground. It was said that the leader had eyes and ears throughout all of Egypt, whose order carried just as much weight if not more so than the Pharaoh. A shadow king, so to speak though more properly known as the Thief King."
"That…. sounds like an exaggeration to me."
He nodded before going on.
"Yes, the young pharaoh thought so as well. But after going over everything he compiled together, it made sense. So, he devised a plan to capture the Thief King involving false leak of replenishing a pharaoh's tomb that included the most unspeakable curses set to sweeten the deal."
Kisara asked.
"And was it successful?"
"It was indeed. The plan went off without a hitch and they captured the Shadow Ruler. However, the inevitable meeting between the Pharaoh and his opposite played out in a way that I'm pretty sure not even the gods could have predicted.
"The pharaoh had sent for the thief, sending several of his most trusted guards. Quite a bit of time passed and he grew impatient. So, he sent more guards. That just led to another period of waiting. Finally, he decided that his considerable patience and curiosity could bear no more of this and went to where the bandit was being kept.
"What he found…..was not what he had been expecting."
The white-haired girl's eyes narrowed in concern.
"What did he find?"
"Most of the royal guard out cold on the floor where only three guards were left standing. They seemed to hang on for dear life as they brought the thief, who had fought off her opponents furiously, to the Pharaoh, the two practically face to face.
"Which is when the pharaoh realized that this wasn't the first time he met this woman."
Kisara was slightly taken aback.
"A woman? But I thought…."
Aknamkamon simply smiled.
"Yes, that young pharaoh made the same assumption. Apparently, the term Thief King referred to the leader of the thieves, regardless of sex. From what the pharaoh later out, the old Thief King would choose their successor based on talent and gains from those in the clan. Anyone who was a clan member could become the next leader, even those who were merely adopted into the clan."
The princess considered that piece of information before her mind turned back to confusion.
"Interesting way of doing things. But wait, what did you mean that the pharaoh had met…..?"
The something clicked in her mind and it all came together.
"You've got to be kidding."
The pharaoh nodded with a wry with a smile.
"You've guessed it then."
"The same girl that saved your life was….?!"
He raised his hand, stopping her.
"We're getting ahead of ourselves again, let's try to stay on track with the story. Needless to say, meeting the Thief Queen was quite the shock for this pharaoh though he did not show it. The beautiful young girl that had saved him years ago was now before him as his enemy and prisoner. And added on to that, she didn't recognize him with time having passed."
Kisara sat up a little straighter.
"So, what happened next?"
"She spat in the pharaoh's face. She cursed at him, the gods, at just about anything and everything under Ra's sun. Her burning red eyes blazed, daring him to do whatever he wanted, but she would not break
"The pharaoh, still stunned at the whole situation, merely bade the remaining guards to return her to her cell. For over a week, he mentally debated what he should do. She may have saved his life, but she was still a criminal and one that obviously was not going to simply repent if she was pardoned. Then an idea struck him, one that was either going to be the best idea he had ever thought of or was going to spectacularly blow up in his face.
"He waited until night fall, after the day's petitions and duties and went to her quarters. He brought a game of senet with him. The woman seemed utterly confused upon finding him there, saying if she was going to kill her he should get it over with. He then asked whether she knew how to play senet.
"The question took her off guard, it took a few moments for her to say she no and she didn't understand why he asked her that. The pharaoh then stated he had a proposition for her. If she could play one game of senet with him every night and win one hundred times in a row, he would let her go. In exchange however, the two of them had to truly talk to each other during the game, not just insults. He wished to know more about her and her insight as he rarely ever conversed with those outside of the palace. He also added that if she tried to attack or harm in any way, her game count would be reset to zero and he had no such compulsions against defending himself against her.
"She expressed her doubts at him being able to do so. He gave her leave to try just this one time."
Kisara connected the dots.
"And she failed, didn't she?"
The pharaoh's lips turned up into a fond smile.
"Let's just say she realized that the young king didn't need the royal guards to subdue her. That said, she agreed to the gamble. The pharaoh was surprised, consider she didn't even know how to play. She then said she assumed he was probably going to tell her anyway. So he did.
"That night he merely went over the rules with her, she merely nodded as he explained this and that, asking no questions. When it was done, he said he was surprised she agreed to his offer. She said that she would take any chance she could get if it meant her freedom, so long as the pharaoh was serious. He swore on the Nile that he was.
"Besides, I only make bets I know I am going to win. Those words puzzled the young king, but he simply asked for her name before he left for the night, the day after they would begin their games.
"I am Layla, she said. Theif King of Kul Elna and Shadow Ruler to your Light. And that was the beginning of the one of the craziest journeys that young pharaoh would ever have."
Kisara shot an even glare at her foster father.
"That is not a very satisfying conclusion."
"Ah, but the story is not over yet. And this is a very long story."
She sighed.
"I get the feeling you enjoy my frustration. Anyway, you said that this Thief King was responsible for what happened to the tombs in that past. And it seems like that same thing is happening now."
"Even though it is practically impossible for it to be the same person."
The young princess looked at him with a curious expression as he waved her off.
"I don't want to spoil you, but let's just say I have very good reasons for believing so."
Kisara then pondered that thought before asking.
"If that's the case, is it possible that a new Thief King was chosen and they are the ones responsible for what is going on right now?"
"That was what I would think has happened…...if not for the fact that that tribe disappeared without a trace years ago."
She responded firmly.
"Well, they obviously aren't gone considering what is happening right now."
"You and Shimon are of one mind. But I can't see how it could possible that this would happen now after all these years. I feel as if there is some piece of information that I don't have that would make this all make sense, a missing puzzle piece that would reveal the picture in its entirety."
"Well regardless I don't think life is so simple that that piece will end up coming to you if you just wait for it."
Aknamkamon smiled, rising to stand.
"Fair enough, but until the situation changes waiting is all one can do. By the way, I hope Shimon's lessons have not been too much for you."
She shook her head.
"Not at all, but I think I need a break for a couple of days. Maybe I'll have better luck with my troubles if I walk away and then approach them with a clear mind. Besides, I need to spend some time with Mana and take a rest for once."
"Well as Pharaoh, I should say to only take as much time as necessary for you to do your duties. But as a concerned father I say take as much time as you need. Anyway, it's time for us to retire for the evening. Before I go though, I suppose I should ask something."
"What is it?"
"Have you thought about marriage at all?"
Kisara thanked all the gods in existence for Nephthys' lessons in composure that her face didn't betray her surprise.
"Not that much. Is there a reason why you're asking?"
"Well, you are about the age for marriage and most of the young ladies of Court are either engaged or married apart from Mana and Isis. While as royals it is our duty to marry for the good of our country, I do want you and eventually Atem to be reasonable happy with whoever you end up with. I'm just asking if anyone has caught your eye."
The young woman took a few moments to think out her answer before she gave it.
"The only young man I've that been acquainted with in the Inner Court outside is Mahad and that wouldn't work for the primary reasons that our duties wouldn't allow it and our feelings are purely platonic. Some of the men have interested me for one reason or another, but not to the extent that I could see myself as their wife. Honestly, I have no problem with just supporting Atem."
And those were her feelings at the moment. While she was deliberately withholding her current interactions with Seto, she couldn't say she was ready to get married to anyone. Whatever she had with him, it was too early for her to say she….she….
She wasn't sure what she was going to say.
Unaware of the inner conflict in his adopted daughter's head, Aknamkamon merely smiled and patted her head.
"You're a wonderful sister Kisara and a dutiful princess, but I do hope one day you'll find some happiness of your own. Just…..keep an open mind. Can you do that for me?"
"I promise."
"Good. Good night Kisara."
With that, the pharaoh turned towards the door and headed out of the room.
As if sensing the change in her mistress' attention, the fluffy Neftis leapt up on to Kisara's lap and meowed to demand her pampering.
Kisara began to scratch the cat's ears, getting a satisfied purr.
"Who would have thought that my foster father is a romantic?"
V.E.: FINALLY! DONE!
This chapter took a while. Not just because I've been juggling my own issues, but also because the content was hard to put into words. This may be a controversial thing to put into the story. But this is fan fiction and AU so I hope it won't that be bad of a backlash. We'll get more into Mahad's change in status as well as some of the others next chapter. There will be an interlude chapter coming up eventually.
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE REVIEW!
See you guys in a while then!