Chapter 19
May: Hi everyone! This is my new update after nearly 9 months of not updating this story.
Bakura: What took you so long?
May: I'm already in college and besides I can't update that often with my head full of requirements and activities.
Bakura: Just get on with the story!
May: (sweatdrops) Okay, alright. All of you might be tired of seeing the disclaimer and I promise you that this would be the last time that you will see it here in this story.
Yuugi: May does not own Yu-Gi-Oh! nor does she profit from making this story.
May: True. Now on with the story…
A few days after their talk...
Atem was with his sister and their father in the throne room. Learning all that there is to rule for when the time comes, they would be guided not only by how their father ruled and his principles but also that their words-his words could make an impact on the people's lives around them.
The two heirs looked at the mass of people curiously and with a hint of compassion and sympathy as they tried to think on ways on how to help them.
They listened patiently to every plea and complaint laid in front of their father, not missing any small detail that could be use for future references.
And after the last plea was heard, and the sentence given, the doors to the throne room closed, with the officials and the royal family left inside.
Pharaoh Akununkamun let out a sigh as he tiredly leaned back on his throne, a hand on his forehead. The stress of the day's events showered down on him.
For a fleeting second, he wondered what life he would have lived if he wasn't where he was supposed to be.
His children looked at him with worry, not able to say anything to ease his pain. They were trained early on what kind of world the royal court have.
Every word, whether said intentionally or not could bring dire consequences and even a small action could be taken as mere threat.
"Father..." Atem murmured as he took his father's hand in his and squeezed it gently.
The Pharaoh turned to look at his son and smiled as he patted the younger's hand comfortingly. "I know what you wanted to say, my son. Go on with what you wanted to say."
Atem looked at him uncertain about the idea in his head then looked at his sister who was standing on their father's left. Making sure that it was alright to begin.
His sister nodded, implying that it was safe and that whatever he wanted to say or do would be well received. He then let out a sigh and stepped in front of their father.
His hand still holding the older's hand then let go as he bowed, as expected of his status.
"Father, allow me this moment to relay to you what I wanted to say." he said as he straightened up.
The Pharaoh nodded and gestured for him to continue.
He then took in a deep breath and spoke. "Awhile ago...while observing the people who came here...I was wondering on how we could help them besides sitting here listening to their pleas."
The officials and the Sacred Guardians looked at each other confusedly, wondering what he was talking about. The king listened and waited for him to continue.
The Prince continued. "And I was thinking that we could use the royal treasury to fund orphanages or health centers that could benefit them."
The whole court was quiet as they processed the information. The Pharaoh looked at his son, thinking about his decision.
"I do agree about it." Isis replied as she bowed her head. "It would greatly help the people."
The others were about to speak when Jirachi spoke. The old minister looked at the royal family, especially at the Prince who had turned to face him.
"I would agree to your plan, Prince Atem but if it weren't for the situation along our borders." he said slyly.
"What do you mean?" the Pharaoh asked, as he leaned forward on his throne.
Jirachi smirked. He then looked up at his monarch, his blank face on. "The situation along our borders, sire. The cities in the north face invaders from the desert tribes. I propose that we strengthen our military in order to combat against those barbarians."
Atemu hitched in a breath, prompting the whole court to look at her. Some in concern, while some in utter confusion. It was known to them that the Princess rarely shows such unroyal act in the court.
The Pharaoh turned to his daughter. "What is wrong, my child?"
The Princess turned to face him and bowed her head. "Pardon me for interrupting the Court, Father. But I fear that Minister Jirachi is right. The northern cities face such hostility with the desert tribes that only wishes to conquer our lands."
Their father let out a deep sigh. And turned to face the Court. "What do you propose we do in this situation?" he asked as he looked at each and everyone in the room.
Atem looked at his sister and mouthed. 'Are you alright?'
She looked at him and shook her head and replied. 'No. Later, I'll tell you about it.'
He nodded and then turned his attention back to the Court who was already abuzz again with suggestions regarding the matter.
After the Court…in early afternoon...
"What did you mean 'you saw'?" Atem demanded of his sister as they walked down the hallway right after the meeting.
"I saw everything." Atemu told him, quite a bit shaken. "Minister Jirachi is right. War is inevitable with the stability of the northern cities. We are surrounded by desert, and if it's not a water attack it could be land. And that's the last thing Egypt needs."
The Prince let out a deep sigh. "We have to tell Father."
"Father already knows about it." she told him as she looked up at him. "And right now, fleets full of soldiers would be sent to stabilize the northern cities and to provide men for the watchtowers erected at the borders."
He looked at her amethyst eyes and shook his head. He knew about her, but it still gives him the creeps every time she would say something out of the ordinary.
"Let's just ask him about the orphanage and health centers." he told her as he held her hand.
She nodded and followed after him as they continued their walk. Discussing plans about the possible aid that they could give to the people.
A hooded man came out of the eastern side of the palace, a hand raised to hold the end of the hood as not to reveal his face to the common people.
Very few people have respect for him, as much as he hated to admit it, he has more enemies than the ones he could friends in all the years that he's been of service in the Royal Court.
He then looked at his surroundings on both sides before he stepped out into the street, and walked down the deserted way to the southern part of the city.
And ducked inside an alley, his back leaned on the wall. His eyes on the people walking by, children running around, as a small smile graced his lips.
And his face morphed back again to its usual mask as he noticed that he caught the attention of one of the men in the city. One of the ones incapable of injuring him on the spot,
He didn't dare show his face here, for he have no authority to boast off with him so far from the main city.
He ducked inside the alley once again and searched for the niche in the wall, and cursed under his breath, that not even a small patch of light can be shed on this part of the city.
Making it even harder for him to find the niche that would take him to his destination. His nails were getting raw from the scratching when a small portion of the wall opened beside him.
He quickly dashed over to it and replied a quick message. The door opened to let himself in. He then looked around once more for any individual who might eavesdrop or follow him.
And to his satisfaction. Had found none and went inside.
"So, they bought the news?" a voice asked as he settled down opposite of a hooded person, with a keg of beer in front of him.
"You might as well say that." he grunted as he took a sip of the beer and blanched at the taste. Nothing like the wines served at the palace! "It's truly happening anyway."
"The Gods have surely seemed to be in our favor." the other chuckled darkly. "And what of the royal siblings?"
He took a long sip of the common beer before he answered. "The Prince and Princess plans to help the orphanages and health centers in the city, though I do doubt that it would do much good."
"And the Pharaoh?"
"Have already sent fleets of ships to the northern cities to help defend the fortress and restabilize the military there."
The man grunted. "Nothing much to be expected from him." He then let out a strained sigh and took a bite off his bread. "And our plan?"
"Would remain in motion of course." he scoffed. "Although, I'm rather much afraid of the repercussions that it could bring to the royal family."
"Why would you be afraid?" the man asked in mock surprise. "This is for the good of Egypt! It's only fitting to sacrifice one for the greater good."
He hesitated. He knew the other has a point but to sacrifice someone in cold blood? That's beyond him.
"Are you thinking of backing out?" the man asked from across from him, his voice laced with threat.
"N-no." he stuttered as he caught the glint of the knife from under the table. He does not wish to end his life so soon when he still haven't accomplished his goal.
"Good." the man said as he leaned back on his chair. "I hate to lose...such an important asset."
He inwardly gulped and then composed himself. "And the plan? Nothing would be change?"
The man shook his head. "None. And if there will be any changes...it will be made on the time the plan is in motion."
At the palace…
"I've sent fleets of ships to the northern cities." the Pharaoh told his council as they gathered together in the battle room.
Where a map of Egypt and small ships representing the ships laid on the table on the area of the Nile.
"The military there would be restabilize, " spoke Anpu. "Enough for the fortress to be guarded from would-be conquerors."
The king nodded then looked up as he looked at the gathered members of his court. And found that not only one but two were entirely missing.
Siamun, his advisor noticed the indifference in the room, sooner than his monarch did.
"Where is Anpu and Jirachi?" the old advisor asked the others in the room.
"Anpu is away on a trip." Shawn answered, without looking up, his eyes still on the table. "To see his mother in Memphis."
"I see." the advisor mused and then turned to look at his king who eased at the report. He then turned to Shawn. "And Jirachi? Any idea of his whereabouts?"
The others looked at each other from across the room, saved only the Pharaoh and the vizier.
When at last, Shawn spoke, his head bowed. "No one knows where he is, my king. If you want, I could send one of the-"
"No need." the king interrupted. "We'll be wasting time as it is."
At the other side of the palace,..
"What would you make of the news that we've heard?" Atemu asked her brother as they walked down the hall, bearing lots of scrolls in their arms.
Atem sighed. "The possibility of the tribes resting is far too trivial although I can't help but notice that Jirachi raised this issue when we already raise ours."
She frowned. "What do you mean?" she asked as she stopped and turned to look at him.
"I feel that he's planning something." the Prince answered. "Although it's quite too early to point fingers at anyone."
She nodded, clearly understanding what he meant, and continued walking. "Well, we have to see how much we could use for our project, with this financial scrolls." she chuckled.
He chuckled. "You're only six, and yet you're already interested with this."
She gave him a playful glare. "It's not too late to prepare for everything."
He nodded. "You're right, now let's go make sense of these figures."
"Right after you."
The Council had already finished and was about to leave the throne room when someone appeared in a haste.
"What's going on?" Shada, one of the Sacred Guardians asked as he looked at the end of the room.
"I beg your pardon, Your Majesty." Jirachi said as he ran inside the room, his body hunched over. "That I didn't come when you called."
The Pharaoh nodded. He then looked at the old minister. "What has kept you long, my friend?"
The old minister straightened up. "I received some news from our spies in the northern cities and it seems that the situation is as dire as we thought."
"What do you you mean?" Siamun asked.
"The desert tribes have already attacked the cities, and what's worse, many of our people have fallen to the sword."
The whole Court went silent as the news sink in. Siamun then looked at his monarch.
"What are we going to do, Pharaoh?" he asked.
It was a long moment before the Pharaoh let out a deep sigh. And stood up from his throne, his eyes still trained on the royal court.
"As much as I hated it, we have no choice but to go into war." he declared, his voice grim.
The Court was astounded at the declaration and soon the whole room was abuzz with plans.
At the lounge…
Atemu gasped, the scroll falling to the floor. Atem looked at his sister, confused as she never let a scroll fall to the floor.
"What's wrong?" he asked, concerned as he placed a hand on her arm, which was shaking very badly.
"It's much more worse than we thought…" she murmured.
"What's worse?" he asked, then his eyes widened. It's not what he was thinking!
She nodded, catching up to what he was thinking.
"We have to see, Father." he insisted as he stood up and was about to bolt out of the room when something held him back. He then looked at her who was wearing an impassive look on her face and then shook her head.
"It's better to wait." she suggested as she released her hold on his arm. "Father will soon send for you."
He complied, and as they were in the middle of negotiations with each other, a servant rushed inside the room, and told him that he was called to their father's study.
The Prince looked at his sister who nodded at him without saying a thing then looked back at their plans and notes.
He let out a sigh as he walked out of the room. And walked straight to their father's office, his heart pounding in his chest.
Aknankamon was reading the reports abou trade when there was a knock on the door.
"Enter." he ordered as he rolled up the scroll and looked up to see his son, wearing a confused look on his face, his hand on the knob. "Come in, Atem."
"You called for me, Father?" the young prince inquired as he took a seat in of the chairs in front of his father's desk.
The Pharaoh nodded. "Yes, I did you call concerning the activities that would be happening in the next few days."
The Prince nodded and leaned a little forward, and waited for what the monarch wanted to say about the 'activity'.
"Atem, you're already 12 summers old, and quite old enough to handle the affairs of state."
Atem blinked. What is his father getting into?
The king let out a sigh. "As you have heard, the situation in our cities is dire than we thought, and I fear that we can't do anything other than fight."
"But, Father-" the young prince protested.
The king raised a hand, interrupting him. "As much as I hated it, we have no choice. I'll be leaving with the general at dawn, and I'll be leaving Siamun, Mahad and Isis here to help you in taking over."
"But, Father! You can't leave!" Atem insisted as he stood up, his hands balled into fists. "What if something were to happen to you? What if-"
"It's what I must do." the king told his son sternly. "And I'll be leaving the duties of the Pharaoh to you. As of this day forward, you are Pharaoh until I return. Understood?"
Atem couldn't do anything anymore but just bow his head in complete obedience to his father's will. Even if they're family, nothing supersedes the Pharaoh not even his bloodline.
Aknankamon's features softened as he looked at his son. "It will just be temporary, Atem. Someday, when you become Pharaoh in your own right, you will understand."
The Prince nodded then walked towards his father who had already stood up and hugged him around his waist. "Just return safely."
The king softly smiled as he wrapped his arms around his son. "I always will."
At dawn...
The Pharaoh left with the general and the other Sacred Guardians aboard the royal barge after announcing to the whole palace that Prince Atem, his successor, will be the temporary Pharaoh until his return.
He also left behind Siamun, his chief advisor, Isis, and Mahad to guide his son with the affairs of state and the kingdom and will serve as a lesson for him to become Pharaoh.
Needless to say, the young Prince wasn't ecstatic about it. And was with his friends and sister in the lounge.
At the lounge...
"That is one hell of a news." Bakura mused as he sat down beside Marik. "With you being made Pharaoh..."
Atem let out a sigh as he slid the scroll aside. "It's only temporary and besides, I have faith that nothing would befall my father."
"Your father or the crown?" Marik interjected.
"My father, of course." Atem insisted. "It would never be the same without him."
"Not when nobles are fighting for the throne." Malik mused as he entered the room and sat down beside Marik. "All we could do is wait." He then turned his head to look at the Princess who was reading a scroll on her lap. Then back to the Prince.
"If worse comes to worst..."
The Princess rolled up the scroll and turned to face him. "It's up to the Gods what will befall our father."
He nodded and then talked to Marik and Bakura, making plans for their next prank.
While the Prince and Princess anxiously waited and prepared for any news that would be coming the next few days. Not knowing of a plan laid ahead.
May: There! New update! Also, I would like to announce something!
Bakura: Get on with it!
May: My story "Hidden Identity" is already out in wattpad. Hope you would come by to read it!
Ryou: When's the next update?
May: Probably next month or two months after.
Ryou: Why that long?
May: Not to brag or anything but I'm currently updating 8 stories(not including one-shots) and all of them have different plots, characters and genres. So, then again, a new update! And good evening!