Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters or anything dealing with Yu-Gi-Oh.

Guardian of the Gods

Chapter 5

Whatever You Do, I Can Do It Too. Moreover, I Will Do It Better

Ancient Egypt, Sunrise, Palace Temple Balcony

The dynasty of Pharaohs and Isis' family had been good friends for generations. Isis's family always produced the best conduits suitable for worshipping the Gods. However, Isis seemed to be some sort of channeling prodigy, able to remember all her incantations and influence the monsters of the light with ease. Every monster initially resided in the Shadow Realm, but for some reason, the monsters Isis was charged with were trusted enough to roam without supervision. It was as if she was able to contain the very nature of each monster, influence their souls to be docile and compatible with that of the inhabitants of the palace.

Only people who were in possession of the sennen aitemu(11) had the power to summon creatures. Those people were the ones who made up the Pharaoh's court. Those people were the only ones allowed to learn and wield the magic to do so.

Granted, creatures of the light were thought to be the purer of the monsters that emerged from the shadow realm, with creatures of water, earth, fire, wind and certainly dark being less than reputable. Those elements embodied the very existence of the shadow realm. Earth, fire, dark, light, water, and wind were the attributes of the monsters that emerged. The elemental divine belonged to that of the Gods and was the only element of monster the Egyptians could not control. Only four monsters that emerged from the shadow realm were known to have the divine attribute.

And they certainly were not monsters one could command.

Usually it took years of experience for one to control a monster. Isis was a quick learner and had enough natural talent to be in command of three monsters before the time she had seen fifteen summers. She was appointed to the Pharaoh's court a year after that and ever since then has been a guardian. Despite her age, Isis had a command of magic that almost rivaled that of the young Pharaoh, thus he made sure to keep her close and in constant service to Egypt.

Most of these creatures from the Shadow Realm were summoned to handle tasks that their masters could not. Heavy lifting, travel, and construction were just a few of the reasons creatures were used.

When Isis summoned her creatures, she allowed them to remain in her world for as long as they could manage. Anything being summoned had a limited amount of time to stay out of the shadow realm. The stronger the creature, the longer it could stand to be absent from the shadow realm, though it always took more magic to summon them. Isis spent so much time with her monsters that she was able to effectively communicate with them and even teach them customs and culture. One of her monsters could even play an instrument.

It had been three years since she became a Guardian of the Pharaoh, three years since she met Set.

Set. Set was, was complicated. Isis could not understand why everyone gave him so much power. Sure, he could give commands that left people with shaking fear and sent cold shivers down their spines. He was arrogant and haughty yet, he knew his place.

Isis remembered the first time she met him. She and her mentor was paying tribute to the Gods in the palace temple when she sensed a sudden change in the air. She looked up from her knelt position, yet continued her chants without pause. She looked around her to see if anyone had entered the temple. That was when she heard voices outside. She turned to her mentor and placed a light hand on the woman's shoulder. The older woman looked up to see Isis bow to her and then rise to walk to the entrance of the temple.

Outside, she saw two men who were talking rather loudly. Isis figured this was the reason why she could not concentrate of offering prayers at the altar. When she walked closer to them, she noticed one of the men was the Pharaoh. She immediately dropped to her knees and excused herself.

She heard the Pharaoh chuckle lightly and tell her to get off her knees in her temple dress. That was when the other voice spoke up. Isis did not hear much of what the other man said, but something about his voice was…different. His voice was full of self-worth and egotism, but there was something underneath those shrouds that piqued Isis' interests.

She had come to learn that the man was the wielder of the sennen rod and for some reason very close to the Pharaoh. Isis figured that was where the attitude came from. But, during the whole day when they became acquainted with one another, the man said not a word to her directly, only speaking about her in third person and asking other people facts about who she was and of what significance she was to the kingdom. Isis found it unnerving to be spoke of in such a manner, granted it was how all the women were spoken about (if they were even a subject of talk). But, it was the way this man talked about her that unraveled her elegant and regal composure and sparked contempt for the man.

Isis never noticed that during this day, he stole glances of her when she was otherwise preoccupied and asked very personal questions about her from the Pharaoh. He was genuinely interested in her, even though up until that day, he never so much as gave a second thought to any particular one woman.

When Isis learned that he was to be on the same court she was a part of, she all but became flustered and instantly annoyed.

It had been three years since that day. And now, she was in charge of tutoring that man to become a vessel for one of the most powerful divine creatures, a God. She sighed in disbelief as she waited for that man, for Set to show up to the balcony she had instructed him to rendezvous at ten days after the Pharaoh charged her with Set's spiritual development.

"You're late," Isis said dryly. She tried to hide her nervousness behind her curt manner. There was something about this man when he stepped in her presence that made her just, well, off. It was as if his presence was something, dare she say, invigorating and renewing. Isis loved the life she led, she was very proud of all the things she had accomplished, but for some reason, this man made her realize there was more. Being a Priestess was rewarding, but it promised a lonely life, for all Priests and Priestesses were to devote their entire body and soul to the Gods. Not that Isis would ever consider starting anything with this man, his presence just reminded her that there was another side of her life that she could enjoy.

She immediately banished those thoughts when Set came close enough to see her face.

Set looked over at the sundial in the middle of the courtyard. "Not by that, I'm not."

Isis waved the dial away and motioned for Set to join her on the open balcony ledge. This day was going to be a very long day. Isis already told her aide to prepare a long rose bath for her when she returned to her quarters. "The first thing you must do Set-,"

"Well, I'm Priest Set now aren't I? It will be polite to address me as such."

Isis' muscles tensed as she fought the urge to get up and leave, she looked at him incredulously. When his face showed that he was completely serious about what he just said, she simply played off her annoyance. "Priest Set," she ground out. "Please have a seat beside me. First you must deliberate from your day and all that you have done."

Set reveled in making Isis cringe in contempt of him. He did not enjoy having to learn how to serve the Gods. The more upset he made her, the more likely she was to cut these lessons short for the day and if he got lucky, give up on him all together. Set figured that all-powerful Gods ought to be able, in the very least, serve themselves. For the fact, he did not even understand why Gods would need vessels of the flesh. But he figured that if he saw one of these Gods for himself in person, he'd be frozen in awe, let alone not able to carry out any of their whims. Seeing a God in Isis' form, or that of the Pharaoh's seemed much more plausible.

More so in Isis' form. He would serve that God all day and all night if he had to.

Set crossed his legs beside her and waited for her next advisement.

The whole time Isis spoke, she refused to look at the new Priest to her right. Instead, she focused on channeling her nervousness into indifference and annoyance.

"I do not plan to hold your hand throughout all of this. If the Gods saw fit to inhabit you, you must have some innate ability to do this on your own. You only need me to set you on the correct path. Listen closely, I am not going to repeat myself, I will not answer your questions. This is not a lecture where I talk and you learn. This is an experience. I cannot tell you how you experience it. What happens is because of everything you do. Take into account all of your actions and let your heart dictate what you want to do. The Gods flow through every one of us. We are privileged because there is something about our own souls, something about our resolve, something about our very being," she motioned to her chest. "That allows the Gods to anchor themselves within us. Appreciate that, and through everything show gratitude. Never grudgingly proceed to do anything. Do it with joy in your heart and allow your emotions to burst forth as a song through your heart."

Set simply stared at her as she spoke, but could not hold his laughter any longer. He burst out laughing so hard his body shook.

Isis simply waited for him to finish by closing her eyes and hovering a hand over her sennen tauk. During the three years since she first met him and interacted with him as a guardian, she never ventured to look at his life. She fixed that immediately.

A monster appeared out of the shadow of murky smoke and immediately kneeled before her. Her feelings were relayed to the creature who stood to his feet and stared, unblinkingly at Set.

When Set opened his eyes again he stared right into the eyes of the creature. He was not shocked to see it standing there, although he was a little unsettled by the fact that it would not move its eyes away from him.

"And by what name does this monster go by?"

"He is called Archlord Zerato and he is the first higher level creature I summoned. I've been attached to him ever since. He is very talented, one of the only creatures I can connect with mentally and emotionally. We communicate through our thoughts. Although, our communication is not simply an exchange of words. He feels what I feel and can interpret those feelings as a cohesive thought. I can also talk to him as I am talking to you now, but because I have feeling behind what I convey through my mind, he still understands me. That is why I have summoned him.

Before I can let any God inhabit your body you have to be able to communicate with more than just your words."

Set scoffed and tore his eyes away from the creature, whom during Isis' explanation never blinked nor took his eyes off Set.

"Creatures can sense what sort of person you are and react accordingly. You must be prepared for the Giant Warrior God to probe your innermost thoughts. You have to be comfortable with sharing everything with him, even the thoughts you are ashamed to admit you have to yourself. He is going to know all the events of your life and respond to you based on how he judges what type of person you are. Though," she paused to look him over with a slight look of disappointment. "I have a feeling he already knows what is in store for him. Zera is here to allow you to experience what all of this feels like."

Set, who has not said a word during this whole exchange, finally opened his mouth to speak. But Isis did not allow him a word before motioning to Archlord Zerato.

The creature immediately leaned forward and suddenly disappeared in a cloud of smoke. The experience was over before it really started and the creature reappeared in no time. When Set blinked and realized Isis was glaring at him, he promptly stood to his feet and announced that he was leaving.

When the creature relayed to Isis what happened, she merely called out behind her to the shaken man retreating from the balcony. "You will come back here the same time after the passing of one sun," she said matter-of-factly, it was more of a command than a suggestion. "Oh son of Akhenaden, destroyer of Kul Elna."

Set's stride only faltered slightly as he heard the Priestess' voice. He knew for sure now that he did not like this new responsibility placed upon him. His past, his secrets, his life was his own and God or not, no one was going to threaten it.

Isis understood from the moment her creature instantaneously relayed his journey through Set's heart and mind, how he became the man he was. She empathized with Set and softened her contempt towards the man who had been running his whole life.

_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/

Domino Museum, Early Evening, 50th Museum Fundraising Gala

"Oh, Ishizu this is a nice turnout for the fundraiser. Who sponsored you?"

"I am not sure Ishikawa-san, I am just grateful that I could contribute. I was not sure if my exhibit would be included in the event."

"It would have been a crime if it wasn't. Your exhibit might be new, but it is one of the main attractions keeping the museum on its feet. You've done a wonderful job dear. I hope you will stay in Japan for awhile and continue to show your artifacts."

"Thank you. I do enjoy this city but I must share this knowledge with the world. It would be selfish of me to keep it here."

"That is true. You look lovely tonight by the way. Is that Wang?"

"Oh, my dress?" Ishizu looked down self-consciously at her attire. Not that it had grown cobwebs in her closet, but the dress sat lonely all the way in the back behind the boxes she never managed to unpack. "I am not sure, it is just something that I bought. I have not had to chance to wear it. I figured the gala could stomach to see it. Excuse me, I must head towards the podium. The curator is about to make his announcement." The woman bowed politely to Ishizu and left to meet the other exhibitionists who walked past.

The gala was held in the foyer of the museum. The floors had been waxed and the foyer had been given a new lease on life. All of the exhibits were open to the public that were willing to pay a ticket for the fundraiser. Everything raised would go towards upkeep of the museum and to constructing more space for two new exhibitions, given that the other exhibitions did not close.

To help raise even more money, Ishizu, along with the other exhibitionists, agreed to auction themselves to the highest bidder for a dance and a date. Each person was given a number, up to six. Ishizu's number was four. Throughout the entire event each guest would bid for whatever number they wanted. Towards the end of the gala the announcer would present the winners and the people would all be able to have their dances and set up times for a casual date.

Although Ishizu knew all of this, she knew that she would not receive a bid. Sure, she was an educated and refined young woman, but when it came right down to the truth, she was not Japanese. Who knew what these Japanese men liked? Ishizu knew for sure that it was not foreign women. Despite her natural beauty and wonderful personality, not to mention her intelligence, drive, and independence, she would sit at a table for the remainder of the gala.

That was all fine with Ishizu.

She had other things to worry about, her brother, the pharaoh, the dissolution of her family. It was all a lot to deal with, especially while keeping up pretenses while out in public.

She was just fine with sitting and contemplating her brother's next move. All the while helping to support the museum Funsani had allowed her to occupy.

When the announcer checked the microphone, all the participants quieted their chattering and turned towards the podium.

"Good evening ladies and gentlemen. My name is Abasi Funsani, the curator of Domino museum. Thank you for attending the fiftieth annual fundraising gala for Domino museum. As we all know, our precious museum depends on the charitable contributions from neighboring companies, sponsors and patrons, and the donations from the citizens of Domino. Thanks to you," Funsani raised a hand behind him to reveal a towering chart. "Our museum can complete a vision of a bigger and better reflection of Domino City. Give yourselves a hand."

The entire room burst with thunderous applause. All of the guests were wearing formal attire and they gave the museum foyer its elegant glow. Through generous contributions, the museum could complete construction on a new wing and not be hassled into budgeting issues with the government. Most years, the museum only received the minimal amount of support and managed to keep its head above water until it could receive handouts again the next year. But with Ishikawa-san's idea of having the exhibitionists sacrifice a dance and a night to keep the museum open, the museum had a chance to flourish, not to mention much more publicity and attention from the general public.

"Now it is time for what you all undoubtedly have been waiting for. The results for the exhibitionist dance and date auction. As you all are well aware of, the heads of each of the exhibits here at the museum have volunteered, for the sake of fundraising, to take one lucky person on a casual date after a nice dance here at the gala. This is not anything serious, just a way for the museum to pique the interests of a broader public. Maybe even more people would be compelled to visit the exhibits."

The whole room laughed lightly as the curator smiled warmly.

"Here are our six exhibitionists. And as promised I shall read out their biographies again so that when the winners are announced we can congratulate them and watch a waltz begin." Funsani turned to address the six people behind him sitting, waiting patiently with hands folded and reserved expressions.

"Our wonderful volunteers are Yasue Hatano, Harunaka Hyojo, Murata Morinaka, Okubo Noritomo, Quinton Brewbaker, and finally the lovely Ishizu Ishitar. They do not even know which person won the auctions. As a matter of fact, they did not even know that a special prize would be given to the volunteer who managed to raise the highest amount of money from the auction of those tickets. The prize includes front-page coverage of said winner's exhibit and media coverage to give a live tour!"

Again, all of the attendees clapped and waited for the curator to continue with the results.

"I shall name the auction winner for each of our wonderful volunteers. For lovely Hatano-san, the illustrious Soma Kazunao, of the Kazunao shipping company."

Mr. Kazunao stood and walked towards the podium smiling wildly.

The curator paused announcing to read the next entry correctly. "Well, it seems that the next three gentleman, Hyojo-san, Morinaka-san, and Noritomo-san all have the same sponsor. All three men have received the same amount of support from one Mrs. Delsie Brewbaker! It seems Mrs. Brewbaker wanted to have as much fun as her husband! And what a generous contribution the whole family has made. Speaking of which, Mr. Brewbaker has a winning bid from Ishikawa-san, our own Secretary of the Historical Institutions of Honshū!"

The audience applauded once more and watched as each winner approached their dates. Ishizu sat comfortably in her chair before deciding that she was done with the festivities of the night. She rose to leave her chair and the stage when the curator spoke up.

"And Ms. Ishtar, where do you think you are going? We cannot let such a lovely lady let down her sponsor. As a matter of fact, she roped a most charitable sponsor bringing in the highest amount raised! Ms. Ishtar it would be a shame to cheat your sponsor out of his due dance and subsequent date, after all, thanks to him the museum can flourish once more!"

Ishizu stood quite surprised by what Funsani was saying, but nonetheless sat back down in her chair remaining composed and regal.

"There seems to be some sort of mistake. Ms. Ishtar's sponsor has given the museum over eighty million yen, but he requests that he remains anonymous. This is truly amazing! Never in the history of fundraiser for the museum have we received such support without giving due recognition."

The crowd was noisy with whispers. But Ishizu rose to leave her chair and exited the stage. The curator announced the end of the night's festivities but invited the audience to stay, talk, and dance to their heart's content.

"It goes without saying Ishizu that your exhibit will be showcased with media coverage, but I say you must find out who this man is. He obviously has a lot of influence to be able to pull something like this off. He bid at the last moment, knocking out your top three bidders," Funsani said pulling Ishizu aside onto the patio outside the museum.

"Top three? What do you mean Funsani? You mean to tell me that Japanese men were actually bidding on me to win the auction?" Ishizu laughed lightly. "And here I thought the Japanese were as strict as they were xenophobic."

"I think that is unfair Ishizu. And besides, it seems like the seven men who bid on you would beg to differ. I could not argue with them, you are a very beautiful and intelligent woman, what's not to like?"

"Funsani, thank you. You were always like a father to me when I went above to the surface after my brother. I am glad the museum will prosper. But, do you really not know who this person is? The one who gave the museum so much money?"

"No Ishizu, I don't. But I hope that you will find out who he is and thank him for his generous contributions."

"Hmm, I think I can manage that Funsani. Go back inside and tend to your guests, you haven't told them how much money you have managed to raise. I know they are eager to find out that over one hundred billion yen have been given to the museum."

"You are right Ishizu. Do you need me to take you back home tonight? I don't want any of these men taking advantage of your anonymous sponsor situation. Any of those men could pretend to be him."

"No thank you father," Ishizu said politely, gently making fun of the older man's concern. "I'll be just fine."

_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/

Battle City, Early Afternoon

Just the card I expected to see, Ishizu thought to herself as she smiled warmly at the image on the card. Looking at the cards in her hand, she had effectively, as expected, drawn the cards she needed to end this duel. It was her sixth duel, only two more after this and she would gain entrance into Kaiba's secret location for finalists. The thought of Kaiba brought back thoughts of the museum charity gala. She immediately banished those pleasant memories and concentrated on her next move.

"It is my turn, correct?" she asked her opponent. He simply nodded and watched her intently. "I place this magic card on the field. It is called 'The Sanctuary in the Sky' and as long as it is on the field, any battle concerning my fairies results in zero battle damage for me. Next, I place another magic card, it is called 'The Fountain in the Sky' and it means that every time you destroy my monsters in battle, my life points increase by the attack on my fairy monster if I decide to remove it from play. Now, I sacrifice 'Warrior of Zera' to summon 'Archlord Zerato' in attack mode. This card is special because by sending a fairy type monster from my hand to the graveyard I can destroy every monster on your side of the field."

Ishizu paused to see the look on the young man's face. Her necklace told her this duel would be challenging, but rewarding. Her opponent would be disheartened, but polite about his defeat.

As her necklace revealed, the young man's eye simply twitched as he stood in silence wondering what the dark-haired duelist would do next.

"If you manage to attack me I will gain my monster's attack power as life points. I will not lose any life points in battle with your monsters. If I do not have any fairy monster on the field, my 'Valhalla, Hall of the Fallen'," Ishizu simply pointed to her third magic card on her left, it was the very first card she played at the beginning of the duel and honestly her saving grace since she was allowed to summon her higher level creatures without a tribute. "Allows me to special summon any fairy type monster from my hand. Now, I will discard 'Herald of Green Light' to destroy all the monsters on your side of the field using the effect of 'Archlord Zerato'."

The holographs showed her opponent's monster disintegrating as they were sent to the graveyard.

"Then I will attack your life points directly for twenty-eight hundred."

The holographs disappeared and her opponent walked up to her, obviously upset, yet he extended his hand in good sportsmanship.

"Congratulations miss. I don't see many female duelists and of the ones I do see, I've never seen them use a deck full of fairies. What is even rarer is to see a deck like yours defeat my deck full of winged-beasts. But, here we are," the young man said with a heavy German accent. He took Ishizu's hand and planted a light kiss on the back of it.

"Yes, I find that these monsters serve me very well. You dueled well yourself Mr. von Schröder," Ishizu blushed only slightly and retreated with her hand.

"Thank you. It was a pleasure, Ms.-," he waited for Ishizu to tell him her name.

"You need not concern yourself with my name. We will not meet again."

"Well if that is the case then I might have to honor our duel and model after your deck, especially that card 'Valhalla, Hall of the Fallen'. I have my eye on a few fairy monsters myself, especially the valkyries. You have shown me a very special way to use these monsters. I thank you again."

Ishizu and the young German man bowed to each other. He handed her three clear, plastic cards with small beige puzzle pieces placed strategically in different places.

"Mr. von Schröder, I humbly say that I think you have made a mistake. You have given me three locator cards instead of the one I deserve for this duel."

The man smiled slightly and answered, "I gave you my remaining locator cards because I want to start new with another tournament. It was my goal to defeat the organizer for this tournament, Seto Kaiba, but if I cannot defeat you, I certainly cannot defeat him. I am not saying that are a pushover, but I would like a mold my deck around these cards you have shown me today."

Ishizu smiled warmly in response and bowed once more to the man in gratitude. This meant that she would not have to duel anyone until there were eight finalists remaining. She could focus on saving her brother.

Ishizu departed from the man and began walking down the streets of downtown Domino. That was when a familiar voice rang out over the noise of traffic.

"Miss Ishizu! Miss Ishizu! Over here! I'm over here, it's me Yūgi(12)!"

Ishizu immediately recognized the short duelist and walked over to him.

"You have to hang out with us today I told the Pharaoh everything we saw in his soulroom."

_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/

Home of Yūgi Motou, 8:00pm The Day Before

"I'm telling you Pharaoh, I was there with her when I saw all of this happening. It was unreal, it was surreal. This is an amazing discovery to part of your past."

"And what does it have to do with Kaiba and Ishizu?"

"I don't know. Ishizu seemed pretty distraught after she exited your soulroom. Like she was more confused than we both were."

"So when I was Pharaoh-," Yami began.

"You allowed the souls of the three Egyptian Gods to inhabit yourself and the reincarnations of Ishizu and Kaiba. It's amazing!"

"That must be why Ishizu gave Obelisk to Kaiba."

"I guess. But Pharaoh, I have a feeling that you are not the only one who has a past to uncover."

"Yes, Yūgi you are right. Perhaps when I find out why my name is a mystery, Ishizu and Kaiba will find out their roles in the ancient past as well."

"I bet your name is some sort of magic spell or something that controlled all the monsters in ancient Egypt."

The Pharaoh chuckled lightly and ruffled the hair on his younger twin's head.

"I doubt that Yūgi. That seems too farfetched."

_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/

Ancient Egypt, Night, Bathhouse

Isis watched as several roses floated in the water by her eyes. The times she took to soak in the rose baths were relaxing. All the trials of her day just melted away in the warm waters. Slight steam rose up over the water and set a light haze over the bath set deep in the floor. The aromas from the spices and flowers the aides dropped in her bath were helping her unwind for the night.

Isis recalled her first meeting with Set. He seemed genuinely perplexed by what she said when he dismissed himself. Did he not know his lineage? Where he came from? He seemed as though he did not even know who his father was.

That troubled Isis.

From the information she gathered from the guardians on the court, Set was raised in a village just outside the palace walls. He was a commoner, only distinguishable by his affinity to controlling monsters. His abilities and aptitude alone was what guaranteed him placement among the guardians.

The Pharaoh apparently witnessed Set's ka in action and recruited him to test onto the court. When Set surpassed the ability of the mentors, he was immediately put on the court and became a guardian. This all seemed haphazard to Isis, but the Pharaoh knew best. If Set was destined to be a protector, Isis did not have the authority to challenge it.

But she was uneasy at the fact that Set seemed surprised at mention of his father.

Her creature showed her most of the events of Set's life up until the point he stepped out on the balcony to meet her.

Set's life was not anything special, usual trials of a young, male orphan. One thing did set him apart from the other men she previously interacted with.

Set was, determined. He was determined and strong-willed. He was intelligent and, when it came to dire situations, did what was right according to his heart. She had witnessed several events in Set's life such as the time he save a girl in his village from falling down a well. And when he stood up for an old man who was being harassed by bandits, Set, at his age, was no match for them and of course was beaten, but it was his determination to defend the elderly man that made him stand out. He was different because even in the face of certain defeat, he still chose to fight and do what was right.

When it came to matters of the guardian court, it was best to have people like that in charge of the Pharaoh's well-being.

But, the ordeal of Kul Elna was not known to many. Isis only knew because her sennen tauk showed her what events took place. How Set's real father sacrificed the ninety-nine lives of the villages of Kul Elna in order to create the sennen aitemu to fight enemies encroaching on Egypt's borders. The act was shameful, yet necessary to protect the borders from encroaching enemies.

Given when the event at Kul Elna happened, it meant Set had to be at least fifteen years old now. Isis thought he could have been eighteen already.

She broke from her contemplation and looked up from the warm waters when her aide suddenly left her side and exited the bathhouse.

"Haraty?" Isis called out to the woman, but when no one answered, she figured that the woman needed to excuse herself.

That was when the flames near the exit were extinguished.

"Who is there?" Isis demanded, grabbing for her cloth behind her head. On top of the cloth she uses to dry off with was the gown she wore to bed after her baths. In the gown was a small gold-handled dagger she kept with her when she traveled to the bath after the sun set.

On the handle was inscribed 'My Faith Assures Me, My Blade Protects Me," in hieroglyphs.

As she touched a finger behind her back to the corner of the dagger, the inscription glowed with low resonance, as if a light from a distant flame reflected from it.

"I demand that you come into the light, if you indeed mean me no harm."

Isis watched as a figure emerged from the entrance of the bathhouse and walked to the edge of the alcove in the floor.

"Priestess, why is it that you called Akhenaden my father?" The Priest started directly into Isis' eyes.

"Excuse me?!" Isis jumped up from the bathwater and quickly tried to place the cloth around her.

Set could only appreciate the amount of skin that shown through a fraction of the drying cloth.

"Leave at once and return when I am decent. This is inappropriate, especially for a priest," Isis said wanting to remind Set of the respect he asked for earlier that day.

"Priestess, you do not have anything I have not seen before, and no one is here in the bathhouse. I emptied it myself. I even retired your aide for the night."

Annoyed, Isis disappeared behind a screen to dry and change.

"What is it that you want Priest Set, it is very late and I am soon to retire myself."

"Akhenaden is not my father. He is part of the guardian court. My father was a soldier who died protecting Egypt before I saw four winters. Explain yourself, I am prepared to take you before a court and have you punished for the words that came from your mouth earlier this day."

"Your threats are empty Priest. Never have I told an untruth and certainly not from experiencing one's own life. My creature gave me the experience of your life, most of it was from your perspective when you were conscious of yourself. The rest is from the prospective of those around you when you were too young to know who you really were. I am asking you to leave. If you cannot do that I have no other choice."

Set stood his ground, a smirk planted on his face. "Is that a threat Priestess? You may think you know who I am. But trust me, you truly do not understand. I am guardian just like you, though my merits are not built on teaching my creatures how to play the harp." Set knew the insult would go deep through the priestess, but she had to know how deeply he had been insulted earlier that day. And if making fun of the way she used her talents would strike a chord with the woman, then Set was all but eager to play all night long.

Isis narrowed her eyes towards the priest from behind her screen. She quickly threw on her gown and stepped from her drying cloth, slipping on her diadhank.

"I see that your arrogance stems from your ignorance. I believe I am more than qualified to put you in your place."

"Then as long as we are flexing our intellect," Set slipped on his as well. "Let us make this more interesting. When I win, you must retire with me tonight and tell me why in Ra's name you think Akhenaden is my father."

"Because I will not win, you are to promise me that you will no longer question my methods nor insult me with your advances. Also, while I am teaching you the things you have yet to learn about channeling a God, you are to obey my every word. I am still responsible for you."

"Why would I agree to that? One who loses a battle does not deserve to dictate spoils."

"Then you do not have the right to do so, because you will not win either. This duel will conclude in a draw. We both win and we both suffer defeat. And as such, you will follow the conditions I have stated previously. A great ruler knows both sides of every situation. He must rule with victory while understanding and embracing adversity. Only through embrace of defeat can he learn not to make the same mistake again. By challenging me."

Both Isis' tauk and Set's rod began to glow as the ba counters on their diadhanks filled.

"This is a test of your strength Priestess, not your prowess," Set said, trying to insult the woman once more.

"It is a test of the truth, not how strong your façade can hold up, Priest. I am afraid your strength will count for nothing as you are exposed to the truth."

"We shall see Priestess, tonight when you explain everything to me in my chambers. I will make sure you remember the palace is no place for a shrewd woman."

After many insults were thrown, as well as a dagger or two, both the Priest and the Priestess ran out of ba simultaneously, both to their dismay. Set's monsters returned to the Shadow Realm from where he had summoned them. Isis' monsters on the other hand were still present and began picking up her clothing and other items she took to the bathhouse with her.

"Where are you going Priestess, and why have your monsters not disappeared?"

Without glancing his way, she replied, "There is a lot to be learned from playing the harp."

Set would never admit that he was impressed with the duel that had commenced, he expected her to fall quickly under the strength of his monsters. But her monsters did not seem to draw on their strength alone. They were, Set could not quite understand what happened, but 'loyal' seemed the best was to describe her monsters.

"I can see now why the Pharaoh put you on his court."

Set smirked.

"And why he entrusted me to teach and train you," that was Isis' final insult before she exited the bathhouse.

"Priestess," Set called out behind her and her creatures. She signaled them to continue to her chambers. Isis walked back to the bathhouse and smiled inwardly.

She did not want to admit how events were going to unfold, but she could not help already knowing the future. Maybe that is why she resented Set so much, because she saw herself doing the very thing she vowed she never would.

Truly falling in l- no, Isis thought to herself. This had to be lust, it had to be something physical. Something she could brush off when necessary. There was not a possibility that a Priestess and first female guardian to the Pharaoh would have such emotions as love. It was not destined for her. Always being compared to her male counterparts or not being considered at all was something Isis was used to. And welcomed. It was refreshing to turn the heads of men who underestimated her. It was pleasurable to watch those very same men come short to her abilities and potential. She strove for excellence while using her talents to aid the Pharaoh. Her family was proud to have her as a daughter. And so help me in the name of Ra, I will not fall prey to this game called affection and assume a subordinate role in my life. I am capable on my own, I do not need the approval of man, let alone the patronizing tone of those who think they are better than me because they are male. Even if Set is enticing and quite interesting, my dealings with him are strictly for the business of the Gods. I will NOT derive pleasure from taking him as a pupil.

Isis cleared her head as she approached the Priest.

When she returned within close proximity, Set continued to look directly into her eyes and was amused by the fact that she never really could meet his own. Every time he thought she might look at him, she diverted her eyes away to something else.

Set looked exceptionally attractive in the light of the moon. Isis refrained from looking at him because the shadows cast on his bare shoulders and chest took her to places she did not want to go. Besides, she was a Priestess; she devoted her whole life to serving the Gods. They would not approve of her 'worship' to another being. Truly, Set was intriguing and from all the events of his life she witnessed, he was well aware of that fact. That was another reason to avoid him outside of their business with the Pharaoh and with the Gods. He knew how attracted she was to him.

And he to her.

"In return for your efforts, I shall teach your monsters how to defend you," Set offered with a hand outstretched.

"Priest Set, they are creatures, they know how to fight and defend," Isis said with her arms crossed, unmoved.

"They are monsters that have an instinct to fight and defend themselves. Sure, some of them have grown attached to you and would help you when you needed it. But I am going to teach your monsters self-sacrifice," seeing that Isis did not extend her hand in acceptance of his offer, he pulled one gently from under her arms and kissed the back of it gently. "That is something no creature has innately. They should sacrifice their lives for the sake of saving yours. That will be my gift to you," he used the hand he had to pull her closer to him. "Payment for showing me how to serve the Gods and channel the Giant Warrior God."

I apologize the update taking so long, I'm in the process of moving and getting other things ready for the fall. Please review, ruby-knight brought it to my attention that I did not allow anonymous reviews…I have enabled anonymous reviews (honestly, I did not even know I'm still trying to get used to this website). I thought by this chapter, the plot would clear up and you all would be able to see where this is going, but uh…no, that did not happen. As luck would have it, none of the characters want to cooperate and they've managed to make the plot even more convoluted. So yeah, it's up to me to make sense of everything so bare with me. The next chapter is going to be posted fairly soon (since I've already written it expecting it to be this chapter).

(11) Literally the millennium items

(12) I feel pretty bad about being lazy with the spelling of the characters' names, so no more laziness for me! Yay!