A/N: I would like to thank the people who reviewed the past chapters. I am so grateful. I was wondering if anyone would like to suggest a plot for the sequel of 'You'll Be Safe Here', even a title will do or perhaps even a character. I wouldn't mind.

Before I forget, to Hydro and Shadow, thanks! But I really am wondering who the noodle man is.

And Hathor, nice label: 'Bastard Two'. Can I use it in the sequel of YBSH?

Ugh... so sleepy... man, I'm so tired. I just came home from school and yeah... well...


Now that announcements are done, here's the chapter. I'll work on Chapter 14 as long as I catch up with my subjects.

-- author dozes off--

Chapter 13: Beneath the Lines of Betrayal

"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…

Until it was too late.

It started with a surprised gasp before High Priest Seth revealed his Millennium Rod, ready to fight whoever would endanger his king. "Atemu, stay behind me," he ordered, knowing the other desired to fight with him.

Atemu looked at his cousin once before hesitating, "Seth—?"

"Just do it."

"GUARDS!" Atemu cried, knowing it was his cousin's unspoken command, his mind wandering to its recesses. Why now? Are these Ranmen's men, too?

"Hand over the pharaoh, priest," one of the 'figures' said, threatening Seth with his sword. Seth, however, was unmoved and gripped his item tighter, holding it by his chest, "Or what? I am not afraid of your weapons," he answered.

"Very well. It is your time to die," the 'figure' replied, ordering his men to attack the lone priest and his pharaoh. With a flip of his hand, he locked the pharaoh's doors, making sure no one gets in the same way no one can get out. Atemu's eyes widened, why can't he move all of a sudden?

"SETH!" he called, trying to catch the other's attention. Why can't he move even the tiniest muscle? Somehow he knew someone was paralyzing him— that someone had cast a spell on him and all he could do is watch helplessly as his Seth fight for the both of them.

XXX

"Sire! Sire!"

Mahado stood up, watching as one of the palace guards hurried towards him looking worn out and pale. "What is it?" he asked, wondering what the reason behind this.

"His majesty, the pharaoh, is locked in his room, sire. He was attacked. High Priest Seth is with him," the guard reported, taking a huge gulp of air, "We cannot enter, sire. Someone has locked the door."

Before he could finish his report, though, Mahado had raced to the monarch's room, summoning his Illusions Magician to destroy the door. With a blast, the door blasted into pieces.

The priest entered cautiously yet hurriedly, looking for the pharaoh and the priest, only to widen his eyes in surprise and running towards the balcony.

XXX

Seth opened his eyes bleakly, wincing as his head throbbed painfully. How could they defeat him? Him, one of the best priests in the land? Everything had been a blur; he couldn't even remember every detail that happened.

He could remember Atemu, his pharaoh calling for him. Atemu! Where was Atemu?

The priest sat up quickly, ignoring his aching body as he reached for his Millennium Rod. Those… no… Ranmen would pay. He would die.

"You must take your time to heal, High Priest Seth," Mahado said, helping him stand up, which he, of course, shooed away.

"I don't care. Where's Atemu?" Seth answered; unbothered by the fact that he had wounds that needed tending. It was stupid, but Atemu, what would Ranmen do if he had Atemu?

"I'm thinking he was taken while you were out," Mahado replied as he bandaged the other priest's wounded arm, "You're not that wounded but I wouldn't suggest you to use your arm most of the time. It still needs healing."

Seth grumbled and mumbled gibberish words before he finally accepted Mahado's offered hand and stood. "I miscalculated," he said.

Mahado frowned slightly before nodding in understanding as they both left to gather the troops that would go with them to retrieve the pharaoh.

XXX

"I demand you to release me at once!" Atemu ordered, agonizingly irritated that he couldn't even move a finger. He glared at the guard who was watching him and he scowled. Why can't he even call on a monster to his side?

"You are not in the position to demand things right now, pharaoh," the guard replied, mocking the monarch's title with a dangerous malicious gleam.

"You dare anger me?" Atemu retorted. He was powerful enough to at least break from this… this spell, right? Before he knew it, he had been slapped painfully in the cheek. His eyes turned into a darker hue, elevating his anger even more.

"You will shut your mouth if you want to live, king," the guard answered.

Atemu stared at him, wondering who this person could be. No one, not a single person, dared to talk to him like that. Who was this person?

"And I gave you no permission to hit him, did I?" Ranmen suddenly interjected, entering the room without announcement. Atemu's eyes widened in surprise before narrowing in anger. So it was Ranmen!

"You're behind this again!" he yelled.

Ranmen's eyes gleamed, "Why, yes, of course, your majesty," he mocked before standing in front of his captive. "What's this? The pharaoh, all mighty Horus-on-Earth, can't move?" he teased before chuckling.

Crimson eyes blazed in fury.

"You will remove me of this spell, Ranmen!" he ordered.

"Or what? If I can recall, you're powerless to do anything, pharaoh," Ranmen teased, flicking a finger on the other's cheek, caressing it. "Remove that filthy finger from my face," Atemu spat.

Before he knew it, Ranmen's palm had connected with his left cheek. The monarch's eyes widened, feeling the sting of the slap as he willed himself to calm down. "You will pay for that, Ranmen," he said.

"We can do this the hard way or the easy way," Ranmen answered, revealing a long blade, "Choose quickly, pharaoh."

From behind, the other captor smirked evilly, watching the blade. Neither noticed that just outside, a commotion was undergoing.

XXX

"Dark Magic!"

Mahado took in gulps of air as the battle ended. It was beginning to strain him what with his continuous use of his spellcaster but with the pharaoh's life in danger, he would risk anything. He knew that by heart.

From a short distance stood High Priest Seth, his aura radiating with sheer anger ebbed with concern. His ka monster floated above its master dangerously, threatening anyone who would dare its master.

"The path has been cleared, High Priest Seth!" Mahado called, noting how the other nodded in acknowledgement. By the hillside, he could see, stood two wearied horses—two familiar wearied horses.

"You there," Mahado ordered to a nearby guard, "Assist High Priest Karimu and Shadi over there," he continued, pointing to where the horses were. The guard nodded and ran off.

Seth walked towards the entrance of the hideout, determined to kill Ranmen for his actions.

XXX

Atemu glared at his captors angrily, despising his immobile situation. If only he could free himself then this would all end. "Have you decided, pharaoh?"

"I refuse to negotiate with criminals," the monarch answered diplomatically. Before he knew it, the blade found its way to his side and he cried in surprised pain. Blood gushed from the wound.

"The hard way then. Fine with me," Ranmen answered, taking the blade out and licking the blood, "Delicious. Fret not, I will have my pleasure either way."

Atemu's eyes widened.

"What's this? Seriously, Atemu… after all these times I met you, I have never seen you unable to utter a single word," the onyx-eyed man mocked, "Why? Had Bastet hid your tongue?"

"How dare you mock the gods? Have you no respect?" Atemu spat before cynically smirking, "Although, come to think of it. I do think so. After all, not all are born with the sense of respect and dignity, are they?"

Another stab. Another cry of pain.

Ranmen smirked evilly as he broke the spell and allowed the bloodied monarch to fall on his knees, gasping in pain for the stabs. "Call on your gods then," he challenged, "I would not care. They do not exist, pharaoh."

Crimson eyes closed in pain, it was unbearable, he thought, but he rose. He would prove them wrong. He would defeat them. They will pay.

"Come forth, Obelisk the Tormentor!" he called, focusing the remnants of his energy to call on the gods of Egypt. With a boom of thunder and a roar from the earth, the god appeared menacingly, looming over them.

Ranmen's eyes widened before returning to its usual drooped stare, "Is this one of the mightiest gods? I can hardly see anything so marvelous about this one!" he mocked before performing a spell.

But before he could finish, a fist—a huge fist—had launched itself directly over him. "Punish him, Obelisk!" Atemu ordered, "Make him pay for his indiscreet mocking of the gods," he continued.

He must finish this soon. He was beginning to lose consciousness. Suddenly, a roar brought him to his senses. Illuminated light graced the room and he knew who was there.

A few moments later, Blue Eyes White Dragon hovered mightily with its master, undefeated and glorious. Seth's eyes beamed proudly, but beneath it was the overwhelming desire to find his cousin.

"Seth!"

Eyes widened at the sound of the cry as the priest raced to catch his unconscious king, bloodied and limp. Ranmen was gone.

He knew Ranmen had escaped along with his apprentice. But not for long. He will find them and when he does, they will die. Seth vowed and carried his pharaoh out of the dark hideout.