Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh! All rights go to their proper owners. All OCs are mine, of course, they came from my mind after all!

Kari's POV

The shout came late in the afternoon; the sun was growing closer to the horizon casting a breathtaking red glow upon the desert. "Look," the man closest to the front called, "I can see buildings! We're almost to Thebes!" A murmur of excitement grew amongst us and many were relieved that soon we would be in a welcoming place.

Our pace sped up a bit as the anticipation rose until some were at an all-out sprint. I could not blame them. Together the Ambassador, our guides, and I rode down a main street in the market heading right for the palace gates. I held my head high and looked straight ahead in an attempt to ignore all the staring and pointed fingers as well as the whispered conversations between the people around me as I passed. It was clear that the Ambassador and I were foreign; we stood out so completely that I felt my cheeks coloring a bit from slight embarrassment.

"Keep calm always," the Ambassador, told me, "nobody shall harm you. You need to relax."

I nodded my head in acknowledgement and kept my eyes on our destination. So soon, we will be in the presence of the Pharaoh. Would you not be nervous?

My gaze traveled all around me, taking in my surroundings from the market stalls to the many onlookers. It all seemed so surreal. We continued a short while until we came to an enormous gate through which was the palace. Slowly, to my slight amazement, the doors opened and we walked through. The stone walkway had short walls lined both sides and many pillars sectioned off the rest of the courtyard. Moments later, we dismounted and continued into the large hall on foot. I could not see the ceiling, which made me feel particularly small and somewhat insignificant. From what I could see already, this place is like a completely different world, a gorgeous one at that, brilliant architecture, the colors, everything…Not to mention the carvings marking the walls. Past Pharaohs and other royal family watched us near the chamber in which we would come face to face with the man who summoned us here.

Eventually, a man greeted and instructed us on how to behave so we would not insult the Pharaoh, then sent us through the archway.

Atem's POV

"Excuse me, my King." I looked up at the sound of footsteps and saw Set. He bowed before me and then said, "The Ambassador has arrived in the city, shall he be sent in?" I nodded, "Yes, of course. Send him in right away." Another bow then he left.

I sat in silence for a few moments then finally heard the shuffling of feet and some chatter in another tongue. At last, an older man with gray hair and piercing eyes walked in accompanied by a young, fair haired, dark eyed woman. For an instant, I was mesmerized at the striking appearance of the short Lady from her sharp, clear eyes holding within their depths great intellect and a strong will to her lovely face which was likely capable of great tenderness but could no doubt petrify even the bravest man should she so choose.

"Welcome," I said easily. The woman bowed deeply but the man looked confused then angry. Shockingly, he began shouting, accusingly at me if pointed fingers and glares were anything to go by. Even his companion seemed surprised by his outburst. Finally, he fell silent and waited for the woman to speak.

"He…he says you're not the Pharaoh. The Ambassador does not like to be fooled and demands that the true Pharaoh come forth or we shall leave for home immediately. He says he has no business dealing with anyone but the King himself," the woman explained tentatively.

Isis and Maahad shouted in outrage startling the newcomers.

"Not the true Pharaoh?" Isis asked incredulously.

"How dare you make such a claim?" Maahad shouted.

The Lady cringed; my own temper threatened to show itself. "Please," the Lady said, eyes firm, "Let me explain." I held up a hand to silence any further comments from the two Guardians and waited as patiently as possible for the two foreigners to finish talking. I assure you, I was not patient at all. Would you sit by calmly if someone accused you of not being that which you are?

"It appears that he knows the Pharaoh quite well. According to him, the Pharaoh is a much older man," she explained.

In an instant, all anger washed out of me and my heart sank slightly. "My King," Maahad said quietly, walking closer to my side, "I don't understand…?" I simply shook my head and tried to find my voice, which unfortunately, had disappeared with my fury.

"I'm afraid that it seems…," Isis' voice carried softly across the room, "The man who you describe is the former Pharaoh Akunumkanon. Some time ago, he went on to the Afterlife and joined his divine family in the stars." For a second I felt her tentatively sorrowful gaze sweep over me, perhaps seeking assurance that her explanation is not out of turn. "This man you see before you is the only son and heir of Pharaoh Aknumkanon and is the new Pharaoh."

Silence was immediate. Understanding and comprehension dawned on the face of Lady Kari quickly followed by a mix of stunned shock and sympathy. The Ambassador remained blissfully unaware until, hesitantly, she relayed the news to him. All at once, he looked embarrassed and shocked, then, he was on his knees speaking rapidly, voice hoarse from the emotions running rampant inside of him. "He's begging your forgiveness for his harsh accusations," Kari said solemnly.

At last, I found words once more. "Be calm, it is to be expected that you would not know of something such as this. There is nothing to forgive as you were ignorant and only acted upon the knowledge you possessed. Please, rise, today is a day of celebration at your arrival. A feast in your honor is being prepared as we speak. However, you must be exhausted after such a long journey. Maahad, Isis, please show them to their chambers." Once more Kari's voice filled my ears as she softly explained to the Ambassador what I had just said, then, the two of them and the two Guardians filed out of the room.

I, too, found the need to leave as their footsteps died down. Quickly, I slipped out and allowed for a few tears to spill down my cheeks in the merciful darkness of the passageway.

A/N: I am debating whether I will omit Kari's POV for the most part or not. I apologize for taking so long to get this up. I have been busy with school, (high school is annoying…) and then I had a cold, also stress from lack of running water doesn't make for a good writing state of mind (long story short, our well ran dry and we're trying to fix things)…Anyway, here it is, so I'll shut up now.

Do you people even read these? (Why does the fact that Word corrected 'guys' with 'people' amuse me?)