A/N: Sorry for the delay, everyone. I'm kind of experiencing a momentarily loss of will to do anything. But before that completely happens, I already finished these two chapters. Hope they would at least satisfy you.

Once again, your opinions are gladly welcomed. Thanks to the people who reviewed Chapter 10, really appreciated it.

Chapter 12: More Headaches

"Atemu, cousin, wake up," Seth breathed in the other's ear, shaking his cousin lightly.

The pharaoh sighed before draping an arm on his cousin, falling asleep again. His cousin stared at him in disbelief, of all the times?

"Atemu, wake up," Seth said again. His cousin shook his head and buried his head under the pillow. He could hear his priest groan exasperatedly, "ATEMU!" he cried, taking the pillow away.

Said monarch opened his eyes and sighed, "I'm awake, I'm awake," he said, rising up. Seth crossed his arms, "You forgot we have to set out to retrieve Shadi and Karimu today," the priest replied.

Atemu shook his head in disagreement, "Of course not, Seth. Please don't be upset with me, I'm sorry," he said, hugging his cousin like a child would his teddy bear. Seth sighed before returning the embrace, "I apologize. I suppose I woke up in the other side of the bed today," he answered.

"There's nothing to apologize for, cousin. I suppose we should get ready now," Atemu said, tugging his cousin's hand.

Seth smiled at his king before they left.

XXX

"What is the meaning of this?" Akunadin demanded as he was seized by the palace guards.

"High Priest Akunadin, you are to be brought to the pharaoh unarmed and seized," said one of the guards as they all but dragged the furious priest in front of their king.

"You are out of your minds. I have done nothing," Akunadin struggled.

Soon enough, he found himself facing his nephew's inquiring gaze and his gaze hardened, "Is this the way you greet your uncle, my pharaoh?" Akunadin demanded, "Seized?"

Atemu shook his head, "No. But this is the way one should greet a traitor, is it not?" the monarch answered, his gaze boring down at his priest.

"You people have gone mad," Akunadin spat, seeing his son stand beside his cousin, as if protecting the monarch in case someone decides to provoke his safety.

Realization hit him as fast as his neurons could transfer the message to his brain and he met his son's gaze, "So this is how you want it to be," he started then met Atemu's own, "So be it. You will regret this day, pharaoh, mark my words," he ended.

With a quick wave of his hand, dark magic surrounded him and before any of the guards could catch him, the mist disappeared along with the traitorous High Priest.

"My pharaoh, we will begin our search for him," Isis suggested, hinting Mahado to do the same.

Atemu sighed, "Do what you must but take into mind, find Shadi and Karimu first. If Akunadin is in the city, then chances are high we will find our two priests here," he said.

"Yes sire," Isis and Mahado chorused before hastily leaving the throne room.

Once they were alone, Atemu looked at his priest, catching the other sigh, "Seth, are you all right?" he asked, "I know Uncle Akunadin's betrayal—"

"I'm fine, Atemu. Don't call him 'uncle' when he's not anymore," Seth cut him off, "Are you alright?"

The pharaoh stared at his priest, wondering what the other was thinking, "But Seth, he's still my uncle and your father. We can't change that," he argued.

"We'll disown him," Seth argued back, leaving no room for second thoughts or protests. Atemu sighed; it was never a good thing to anger his priest. The other's temper was legendary, "Alright, Seth. If that's what you want," he said.

Seth met Atemu's downcast gaze and he frowned in concern, "Look, Atemu… don't be upset with me, please? I know you don't like the idea but—"

Atemu gave him a small smile in response, "Don't worry, Seth. I'll support your decision if that's what you really want," he answered, kissing the other lightly.

Seth smiled back, "Thank you."

XXX

"Fools," Akunadin muttered. Ranmen stared at him expectantly, as if knowing what happened and he smirked, "Ended well, didn't it?" Ranmen asked sarcastically.

"I am not in the mood to deal with you," Akunadin answered angrily, "I'll make them both pay," he muttered to himself.

Ranmen smirked, "Pity. I was about to help you but since you're so full of yourself, I change my mind," he said, turning away, "By the way, might I remind you that we have a change of plans?"

That got into the priest and he stared at Ranmen, "What change of plans?" he asked.

But Ranmen was already gone.

"That bastard," Akunadin muttered.

XXX

Mahado frowned. There was something amiss with the way the wind blew. It was as if, unable to speak as it is, it was trying to tell him something—warn him about something that he just couldn't point his finger at. But he was sure it concerns the pharaoh.

"What troubles you, Mahado?" Isis asked, catching his attention and he turned around, meeting the priestess' inquisitive gaze.

"Do you not feel it?" he answered. Isis stared hard at him and nodded, no words exchanged. They already know the answer and they left to find the pharaoh and his cousin of a priest.

XXX

The pharaoh gazed down at the gardens, wishing he could just forget about his troubles for a while. Never in his entire life did he imagine the world to turn upside down. It was never supposed to be this incomprehensible. Not this confusing.

This morning's event had shaken him, especially Seth's cold demeanor towards his father. Of course, one would expect that of his cousin who hated dealing with traitors, family member or not. Atemu frowned.

Could he do the same thing if his own father did that to him?

"Something ails you, Atemu," Seth voiced out, breaking the silence emanating from the room. The pharaoh met his cousin's gaze and sighed, "I apologize for ignoring you, cousin," he answered instead.

"Worry not over that, I only want to know why you are troubled. I would like to help you," the priest replied, making his way to the pharaoh and pulling him into his arms.

Atemu sighed and buried his head on the other's chest, allowing them to stay like this for uncountable minutes. Uncontrolled melancholy gripped his heart as confusion meddled with his mind's affairs that he could only wonder up to what extent he could stay like this.

"Atemu?" Seth asked.

"Just hold me, please," Atemu whispered, desiring not to talk. It was better that way. Seth sighed before consenting, "As you wish," he answered.

Neither noticed that from below squat unidentified figures ready to make their lives a living hell.